Illegal Road Taxes Persist on Juba-Yei Highway Despite Government Ban

(YEI/JUBA) – Travelers and traders using the Juba–Yei Road have reported that checkpoint operations and tax collections continue along the highway despite recent government directives ordering the removal of illegal roadblocks and unauthorized charges.

The concerns come weeks after the High-Level Economic Management Subcommittee members, led by Interior Minister Aleu Ayieny Aleu, on a recent visit along the Juba-Yei road, directed authorities to halt illegal taxation and dismantle unlawfully established checkpoints on the Juba–Yei Road. The directive was intended to improve revenue collection practices and ensure the free movement of people and goods along one of the country’s key trade routes.

However, travelers say little has changed on the ground. James Aloro, a frequent traveler on the route, told Access Radio on Wednesday that numerous checkpoints remain operational.

“There are dozens of checkpoints along the Juba–Yei Road, and each checkpoint collects different forms of taxes without providing receipts as proof of payment,” he said.

Another traveler, who identified himself only as Peter, said he witnessed drivers making payments to security personnel stationed at several checkpoints during a recent journey from Juba to Yei.

“At almost every checkpoint, I saw the driver handing over money to those guarding the road. It happened several times during our trip on Monday,” he said.

The travelers are now calling on the government to establish a road monitoring committee to oversee checkpoint operations and ensure transparency in revenue collection.

Local trader Alice Maneno echoed similar concerns, saying traders are still required to pay various charges along the route.

“The issue of taxes on this road remains a major challenge. We were informed that some payments go to the governments of Yei River County, Lainya County, and Juba County, while other taxes are demanded by security personnel at certain checkpoints,” she said.

The government has yet to comment on the reported continued collection of taxes and operation of checkpoints despite the directive ordering their removal.

Maneno added that multiple taxes imposed by different levels of government are crippling small businesses and increasing the cost of doing business for local traders in the region.