news 3 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda-South Sudan Elegu Border Blockade Hits Sixth Day Amid Driver Protests
East African truck drivers have blocked the Elegu border crossing for six days, protesting South Sudan's violation of a 2024 agreement on illegal fees and harassment, leading to a 16km traffic jam and shortages of fuel and food in South Sudan. Ugandan exporters of perishable goods are suffering heavy losses as the standoff continues. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-south-sudan-border-blockade-enters-sixth-day-5445508
The blockade at the Elegu border between Uganda and South Sudan has stretched into its sixth day, initiated by East African Community truck drivers frustrated with ongoing violations by South Sudanese authorities.
Drivers have parked their trucks on both sides of the road on the Ugandan side, creating a massive 16-kilometre traffic jam and halting all cross-border movement.
Isaac Kabataazi, vice chairperson of Ugandan truck drivers, explained that the action stems from South Sudan’s failure to honor a December 2024 agreement aimed at ending illegal roadblocks, unauthorized fees, harassment, and taxes that breach East African Community protocols.
The protests were sparked by violent incidents on April 28, 2026, including the fatal machete attack on a driver at an illegal roadblock on the Nimule-Juba highway and another assault in Nimule town.
South Sudan is now facing acute shortages of essential goods like fuel and food, worsened by global petroleum price hikes from the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Ugandan traders exporting perishables such as tomatoes, onions, and watermelons are incurring significant losses as their cargo spoils in stranded vehicles.
This marks a repeat of 2024 events, when a similar blockade from November 27 to December 4 ended with an MoU. That agreement mandated removal of roadblocks between Nimule and Juba, suspension of a US$70 fee, cancellation of various illegal charges (including SSP90,000 stamp duty, SSP20,000 at Nesitu and Juba Bridge), and an end to harassment and extortion.
Drivers accuse South Sudanese security of persistent arrests for minor offenses, bribe demands, and operating unauthorized checkpoints due to unpaid salaries, alongside excessive weighbridge fees.
Kabataazi stated that no trucks will enter South Sudan until the government addresses these demands in line with EAC protocols.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)