(JUBA COUNTY) – A member of South Sudan’s national parliament has called on the government to urgently repair the Juba–Lainya–Yei–Kaya Road, citing its deteriorating condition and the impact on trade and transport.
Dusman Joyce James Lesuk, MP for Lainya County, addressed the issue in parliament on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to summon the Minister of Roads and Bridges to explain delays in maintenance and rehabilitation. She described the highway as “bad and difficult,” highlighting that certain sections, particularly between mile 55 and mile 59 in Lainya County, are in a dire state.
The Juba–Lainya–Yei–Kaya Road connects South Sudan’s capital to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo via Yei and Kaya. It serves as a major route for commerce, humanitarian aid, and the movement of people, and was previously a busy trade corridor for transporting goods, farm produce, and fuel between Uganda and South Sudan.
Joyce noted that despite repeated appeals for maintenance, the road has been largely neglected. She said the state ministry informed parliament that the highway is classified as a national road, and responsibility for repairs lies with the national ministry, which has yet to act.
“My concern is about the Juba–Lainya–Yei–Kaya Road. This road is in a very poor condition, and we do not understand why, year after year, no one attends to it. If you travel between mile 55 and mile 59 in Lainya, you will see that the road is in a dire state. We have raised this issue several times, but there has been no response,” she said.
Joyce urged the Minister of Roads and Bridges to visit the affected area and explain the inaction, noting that other routes have received government attention while this critical trade artery remains neglected.
Juba–Lainya–Yei–Kaya Road Issue
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Road Name | Juba–Lainya–Yei–Kaya Road |
| Location | Juba County, Lainya County, Yei, Kaya |
| Responsible Authority | National Ministry of Roads and Bridges (classified as national road) |
| Condition | Poor, particularly mile 55–59 in Lainya County |
| MP Raising Issue | Dusman Joyce James Lesuk (Lainya County) |
| Key Concerns | Trade disruption, humanitarian access, local transport difficulties |
| Road Importance | Links South Sudan to Uganda and DRC; major trade and aid route |
| Proposed Action | Repair and maintenance; Minister to visit area and provide explanation |
| Stakeholders | Parliament, national ministry, local communities, traders, humanitarian actors |
| Past Status | Busy trade route transporting goods, farm produce, and fuel |