The Right Honourable 1st Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, has suggested that South Sudan join the Customs Union to reduce costs and improve economic cooperation with its neighbors. She believes this move would help the young nation access preferential rates, benefit from the construction of Phase 2 of the One Stop Border project, harmonized processes, data exchange, and the use of technology.
Kadaga made these remarks during a meeting between delegations from South Sudan and Uganda at Nimule Town Council, Southern Sudan. She also pointed out areas where both countries could improve trade relations. These include standardizing common services, constructing the One Stop Border Post and weighbridge at the South Sudan border, and establishing a Uganda National Bureau of Standards laboratory at Elegu.
Additionally, Kadaga emphasized the need to educate cross-border traders to promote business growth. She mentioned that the government is considering raising the threshold for the simplified trade regime from 2,000 to 5,000 USD.
Simon Tumwesigye, the Acting Manager Customs Northern Region at the Uganda Revenue Authority, praised the growth of trade between Uganda and South Sudan over the years. However, he highlighted challenges such as the absence of a declaration system in South Sudan for exchanging electronic information, early border closures due to insecurity, differing tax structures promoting smuggling, the absence of a weighbridge, and limited understanding of customs processes by clearing agents.
Annette Ssemuwemba Mutaawe, the Deputy Secretary General of the EAC, emphasized the importance of implementing agreed actions by all stakeholders. She committed to engaging South Sudan authorities on integration, system rollout, constructing facilities favorable to cross-border women, and promoting business growth through sensitization.
The meeting also saw participation from members of the East African Community Secretariat and East African Legislative Assembly, border agencies from both countries, trade representatives, and associations.
