(Nimule) – Ugandan authorities have released five South Sudanese owned trucks carrying fish that were held last week at the Elegu-Nimule border crossing due to missing documentation required for cross-border trade.
The trucks were carrying fresh fish from South Sudan and were stopped by Ugandan border officials, who cited incomplete paperwork as the reason for the seizure. The matter was resolved following bilateral discussions between officials from both countries.
According to Mangar Akuot Yuang, a senior representative of the South Sudan Fisheries Business Union, the release followed joint negotiations involving the customs agencies and Ministries of Trade, Fisheries, and Foreign Affairs of both South Sudan and Uganda.
Yuang said that the talks were productive and that both governments showed commitment to solving the issue swiftly. He confirmed that members of the National Union for Fishermen Association also took part in the discussions to help ensure that the matter was settled without delay.
Ugandan officials reportedly gave verbal assurances that such detentions would not be repeated in the future. They also expressed willingness to support smoother cross-border fish trade and prevent unnecessary disruptions that could affect business and livelihoods.
Under a new understanding between the two countries, fish from South Sudan will now be delivered to the Ugandan side of the Elegu border in trucks registered in South Sudan. Once there, the goods will be offloaded and reloaded onto Ugandan-registered vehicles before continuing to their final destinations inside Uganda or to other regional markets.
This arrangement is intended to comply with Uganda’s transportation and import regulations, while still allowing South Sudanese traders to access Ugandan markets.
In addition to releasing the five trucks, Ugandan authorities also freed two members of the South Sudan Fisheries Union who had been detained in connection with the incident. Their release came over the weekend following continued pressure from South Sudanese officials and business leaders.
While the exact value of the fish cargo was not disclosed, such shipments often represent a major financial stake for small-scale traders in South Sudan. These traders invest heavily in catching, transporting, and preserving fish for export.
Cross-border fish trade is a vital economic activity for families and cooperatives in South Sudan, particularly for communities along the Nile River. The industry provides both employment and income, contributing to food security and local development.
Officials from both countries said they remain committed to strengthening trade ties and finding long term solutions that benefit local economies on both sides of the border.