Uganda and South Sudan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on trade to strengthen bilateral commerce and ease cross-border business challenges.

The agreement was signed on Wednesday in Kampala at the second Uganda–South Sudan Business Forum and Exhibition by Uganda’s Minister of State for Industry David Bahati and South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Labanya Margaret Mathya.

The MoU covers trade promotion, information exchange, investment facilitation and follow-up mechanisms. Joint technical committees will be established to oversee implementation, resolve border issues and ensure commitments are met with clear timelines.

Bahati noted that trade remains heavily one-sided, with Uganda exporting goods worth about $524 million to South Sudan while imports from South Sudan stand at only $22 million. He called for more trade in goods produced within the two countries and for transparent, efficient border procedures.

Uganda’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Brigadier General Ronnie Balya, said the committees would prevent “laxity” and ensure measurable outcomes. President Museveni had earlier proposed joint projects on the Juba–Nimule road, a power interconnector and enhanced border security cooperation.