Regional transit truck drivers have suspended operations along the Uganda–South Sudan corridor, parking hundreds of cargo trucks at key border points in protest over worsening insecurity.
The industrial action follows the killing of a driver in April, an incident that has heightened fears among transporters operating along the vital Nimule–Juba highway. The strike has effectively choked one of East Africa’s most important trade routes, raising alarm over the safety of cross-border commerce.
William Busuulwa, chairman of the Uganda National Transporters Alliance, said the security situation inside South Sudan has sharply deteriorated, exposing drivers to frequent ambushes, armed robberies and deadly attacks.
”Once you cross into South Sudan, there is no assurance of safety. Drivers are routinely attacked at gunpoint. Cargo is looted, and tragically, we lost a colleague just last month.
”Transporters are demanding the urgent reinstatement of joint Uganda-South Sudan highway security patrols, which previously offered some protection along the volatile route,” he said in an interview.
Busuulwa noted that earlier bilateral security arrangements had helped stabilise the corridor but have weakened in recent years due to political changes that disrupted coordination and enforcement.
As a result, hundreds of trucks remain stranded on both sides of the border, with drivers insisting they will not resume operations until concrete security guarantees are put in place, according to local media reports.
The standoff now threatens the supply of essential goods—including food, fuel and construction materials—to South Sudan, a landlocked nation that relies heavily on imports through Uganda.
Geoffrey Osborn Oceng, resident district commissioner of Amuru District, where part of the border is located, acknowledged the economic implications of the disruption and said authorities are working to resolve the crisis.
”The trucks are currently parked within my jurisdiction, and this disruption is not good for regional trade. We are engaging stakeholders and will convene a meeting with transporters to find a workable solution,” he said.
He added that while Uganda has limited capacity to address incidents occurring داخل South Sudan, efforts are ongoing to involve South Sudanese officials in restoring confidence along the corridor.
”The concerns raised by the drivers are legitimate, but incidents occurring across the border require joint engagement. We intend to invite South Sudanese leaders so that we can collectively address these issues,” he added.
The Nimule–Juba highway has long been plagued by insecurity, with sporadic attacks often attributed to suspected militia groups, further complicating efforts to maintain a stable and reliable trade link between the two countries.
