(KAMPALA) – 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.
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.
She made the appeal in an interview with Ugandan television station NTV.
Kadaga said any measures affecting Ugandan traders and businesses should be implemented fairly and without discrimination.
She said this should be done while respecting bilateral agreements and the principles of the East African Community.
Kadaga also said Uganda recognises South Sudan’s sovereign right to regulate businesses operating within its territory.
She said affected Ugandan traders should document what has happened to their businesses and report the matter through Uganda’s diplomatic missions and other relevant authorities.
Asked whether Uganda would retaliate, Kadaga said it would not.
“We shall continue to engage with them because under the EAC, we believe in the common market, we believe in integration,” she said.
The remarks by the Ugandan official follow comments made by the caretaker Commissioner of Juba County, Kalisto Lado, on 5th October.
Lado instructed foreign traders at Kubri Haboba Market in Juba to focus on wholesale trade and larger investments.
He said small scale businesses should be left to South Sudanese.
He said businesses such as selling charcoal, onions and tomatoes, as well as motorbike services, should be left to South Sudanese.
He said 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’s chargé d’affaires in Uganda, Akuol Abujok Deng, also dismissed the remarks.
She said the statement did not represent the position of the Republic of South Sudan .
“I can assure our Ugandan sisters and brothers who are in South Sudan that they shouldn’t panic. Our relationship as two countries is paramount and we value it at the highest order,” Deng said .
South Sudan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement dated 8th October that there was no directive from the national government requiring foreign nationals to leave the country.
It said commercial activities are subject to South Sudanese laws and that any measures affecting such activities should be handled by the competent authorities in accordance with the la.
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