Sep 25, 2021 — In efforts to join other East African Community members such as Rwanda and Tanzania that are leading integration of the East African Community, Uganda authorities have set October 1st deadline, one week from now, to begin allowing South Sudanese nationals to enter their country without visa requirements but other strings attached.
Speaking to the media in Kampala, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Hon. Rebecca Kadaga announced that Uganda has decided to allow South Sudanese nationals to enter the country without visas effective from October 1st; however, Uganda demands that South Sudan must reciprocate the same within a matter of 30 days to Ugandan nationals who are entering Juba to seek greener pastures.
According to Hon. Kadaga, to qualify for this exemption South Sudanese must carry valid South Sudanese passports and must meet health requirements to enter the country.
“That means South Sudanese traveling to Uganda will be free to enter Uganda as long as they carry a valid passport and meet other health conditions for travelers,” the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs Rebecca Kadaga said.
Kadaga said the Ugandan lawmakers will review their decision after 30 days to determine if South Sudan government has responded positively or not before taking other measures.
South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya are among member states who have been struggling to fulfill no-visa requirement integration procedures but as pressure dawns on Uganda, South Sudan may have no otherwise but to obey.
According to analysts, this requirement could jeopardize security, health and economics prosperity of the least developed countries like South Sudan.
