(MOROBO COUNTY) – Business at the Oraba-Kaya border post between South Sudan and Uganda in Morobo County, Central Equatoria State has slowed down sharply due to insecurity on the South Sudan side, forcing traders and transporters to divert to safer routes. The disruption has reduced government revenue and weakened cross-border trade, a concern for both countries.
The Kaya border post, once a busy entry point for goods, is now nearly deserted. Officials report that only 10 to 15 trucks pass through daily, compared with more than 150 trucks previously. In the 2022/23 financial year, Oraba-Kaya cleared 1,842 trucks and collected 1.3 billion Ugandan shillings (about 183 million South Sudanese Pounds or 25,800 US dollars). Current traffic has fallen drastically, with most trucks carrying charcoal and timber from South Sudan, while fewer Ugandan trucks venture across due to ambushes.
Customs officials say insecurity in Kaya, Yei and Kajo-Keji counties has discouraged trade through Kaya.
“When fighting resumed in March and April, revenue collection was hit hard. Traders have even lost lives on that road. We hope peace is restored soon so that business can recover,” said Mr Simon Kalema, the officer in charge at Oraba Customs.
During a recent visit, Uganda’s State Minister for Trade, Gen Wilson Mbadi, urged closer cooperation with South Sudan and DR Congo to improve safety and trade conditions. He stressed that free movement of goods and services is part of the East African Community (EAC) trade agreement, which both countries must support.
The insecurity has already reduced clearing agents at Oraba from 20 to only eight. Traders now prefer the Elegu–Nimule route despite higher costs, saying it is less risky. Business leaders in Oraba town also confirm that shops and services are suffering as cross-border activity dries up.
South Sudanese officials, however, insist they are working to secure the route. Yei River County Commissioner, Mr Taban Seme, said South Sudan People’s Defence Forces have stepped up patrols on roads once blocked by rebel groups.
“We know Oraba-Kaya is historic for trade. It was once the busiest supply line during the liberation struggle. We are committed to protecting it again,” he said.
Kaya–Oraba Border Post Trade Snapshot
| Indicator | 2022/23 | 2025 (Current) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trucks cleared per day | 150+ | 10–15 | Traffic has fallen sharply due to insecurity in South Sudan (Kaya, Yei, Kajo-Keji). |
| Total trucks cleared (year) | 1,842 | Much lower | Current totals remain far below earlier volumes. |
| Main imports into South Sudan & DR Congo | Food, consumer goods, fuel, manufactured products | Limited | Many traders now avoid Oraba and use the Elegu–Nimule route. |
| Main exports from South Sudan | Charcoal, timber | Still moving | Small volumes, with traders cautious about routes. |
| Clearing agents at border | 20 | 8 | Reduced activity has cut the number of clearing agents. |
Elsewhere in West Nile, Uganda’s trade officials identified more bottlenecks, including poor infrastructure, lack of scanners and multiple currency exchanges that eat into profits. Traders must often convert Ugandan shillings into Congolese francs and later US dollars, which leads to losses. Business groups are pressing for a regional single currency to solve the problem.
Uganda Revenue Authority officers added that growing trade at other posts like Goli, Padea, Vurra and Lia is being slowed by inadequate parking space and long queues of cargo. In DR Congo, Ugandan traders have complained about being forced to use middlemen who sometimes withhold payments.
The wider picture shows that South Sudan’s insecurity not only affects Oraba but also weakens trade links across the region. Both governments are under pressure to find solutions, as cross-border trade remains vital for the economies of South Sudan, Uganda, and DR Congo.