(NIMULE, EASTERN EQUATORIA) – The Nimule Municipal Council, working in coordination with South Sudan Customs and Security agencies, has installed a new physical barrier at the main border crossing with Uganda to ensure strict adherence to official operating hours.
The move, implemented at the edge of the Nimule border bridge, involves the installation of a metal stop pole that restricts movement after closure time. Authorities say the new measure aims to improve compliance with the country’s cross-border regulations while enhancing the safety and efficiency of trade and passenger flow.
Nimule Municipality Mayor Caesar Longa Fuli said the barrier forms part of broader efforts to improve the management of border operations at one of South Sudan’s busiest trade corridors.
“This step will help in enforcing border hours, easing congestion, and strengthening security oversight at the crossing,” the mayor stated.
The Nimule crossing point is the main gateway linking South Sudan to Uganda and the greater East African region, serving as a lifeline for imports, exports, and human movement. Every day, hundreds of vehicles carrying goods valued at billions of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) – estimated to exceed 7.1 billion SSP (about 1 million USD) daily in trade volume pass through the entry point.
Officials say the new barrier will allow security and customs teams to better monitor movement during night hours, when unauthorised crossings and informal trade activities are often reported. The installation also reflects growing efforts by the Eastern Equatoria State Government to strengthen control over trade routes, improve tax collection, and enhance road safety for commercial transporters.
Local business owners have expressed mixed reactions to the move. Some transport operators welcomed the increased security, saying it could reduce theft and smuggling, while others raised concerns that shorter crossing hours could slow trade, particularly for perishable goods moving from Uganda to Juba and other parts of the country.
The municipality, however, maintains that the enforcement of official border operating times, typically from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. is necessary to balance trade facilitation with effective oversight and safety at the international crossing.
Authorities Clamp Down on Night Crossings at Nimule
| Policy Measure | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Nimule Border Crossing, Eastern Equatoria State |
| Implementing Authority | Nimule Municipality with Customs and Security Organs |
| Purpose | Enforce official border operating hours and improve oversight |
| Infrastructure Installed | Metal stop pole barrier at border bridge |
| Operating Hours | 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily |
| Expected Benefit | Enhanced security, regulated trade movement, reduced smuggling |
| Potential Economic Impact | Improved tax compliance, safer transport corridor |
The Nimule border remains a key economic link between South Sudan and Uganda, supporting regional integration and generating significant customs revenue for the country.