news 10 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kenyan Truck Drivers Protest Leader's Arrest at Uganda-South Sudan Border
Kenyan truck drivers have blockaded border crossings into Uganda following the arrest of their union leader, Sudi Kauli Mwatela, by Ugandan security forces at the Elegu border post. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/uganda-south-sudan-border-impasse-uganda-security-arrests-kenyan-truck-drivers-leader-5454460
Long-distance truck drivers from Kenya have initiated a blockade at Ugandan border entry points, protesting the arrest of their leader, Sudi Kauli Mwatela.
Mwatela, the chairperson of the Long-Distance Drivers Union and a Kenyan national, was reportedly apprehended on Sunday in Elegu, a town on the Uganda-South Sudan border. His arrest occurred after he addressed striking truck drivers who were protesting alleged harassment, insecurity, and illegal charges in South Sudan.
In response to Mwatela’s arrest and charges of incitement and sabotage, Kenyan truck drivers blocked the Malaba and Busia border crossings. They have vowed not to resume operations until their leader is released.
The drivers’ protest at Elegu had already caused a significant traffic jam stretching over 16 kilometers and led to shortages of essential goods in South Sudan before the blockade was expanded.
Reports indicate that Mwatela had participated in a meeting with South Sudanese and Uganda Revenue Authority officials to resolve the dispute. While an agreement was reached and Mwatela reportedly signed a document calling off the strike, he later informed the striking drivers that the document was signed under duress. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
Despite the ongoing protests, a representative stated that the issues were resolved and the strike has been called off, with trucks resuming their journeys. An agreement document released on Sunday outlines several immediate actions by South Sudan, including the removal of roadblocks and cancellation of illegal charges.