Uganda urges South Sudan to reconsider restrictions on traders after retail trade caution

Uganda has appealed to South Sudan to reconsider restrictions affecting Ugandan traders after Juba County authorities called on foreign traders to leave small-scale retail businesses to locals.

Speaking in an interview carried by Ugandan television station NTV yesterday, Rebecca Kadaga, Uganda’s Minister of East African Community Affairs, called on South Sudan to respect the common market protocol of the East African Community.

“[We have heard from the report] that the Republic of South Sudan, some small Ugandan businesses are facing new restrictions. We want to appeal to the Republic of South Sudan to take into account the foreign market protocol and treat our people with dignity. And their concerns should be addressed transparently, fairly and through established legal and diplomatic channels,” Kadaga said on NTV.

Kadaga said any measures affecting Ugandan traders and businesses should be implemented fairly and without discrimination, while respecting bilateral agreements and the principles of the East African Community.

“But it should be excised without discrimination and should take into account bilateral commitments, the principles of the East African community. But we shall continue to engage with them because under the EAC, we believe in the common market, we believe in integration. So, we don’t want to engage in that,” She said.

The minister also called on South Sudan to address the concerns of affected Ugandans transparently and through established legal and diplomatic channels.

The remarks by the Ugandan official follow comments made by the caretaker Commissioner of Juba County, Kalisto Lado, on Monday.

Lado instructed foreign traders at Kubri Haboba Market in Juba to focus on wholesale trade and larger investments, while leaving small-scale businesses to South Sudanese.

He said businesses such as selling charcoal, onions and tomatoes, as well as motorbike services, should be left to South Sudanese, while foreigners should invest in factories and other larger businesses.

Lado’s remarks were later reported by regional media, including Ugandan and Kenyan outlets, as a call for the expulsion of foreign traders.

He has since clarified his remarks, saying a commissioner does not have the mandate to expel foreigners from South Sudan.

South Sudan has not responded to the appeal by the Ugandan official.