Three countries South Sudan, Uganda, and the Central African Republic (CAR) have signed a historic agreement that will foresee the three countries jointly finance the construction of the 1,100-kilometer Uganda-South Sudan-CAR Road network. This road is expected to enhance both regional integration and economic development.
In October 2024, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni made a pledge of engaging South Sudan in the construction of a road that would link Yei town to the main highway. This followed discussions held between President Museveni and his CAR counterpart Faustin-Archange Touadera in Kampala. The duo explored ways that would enhance regional trade through improved infrastructure.
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Uganda-South Sudan-CAR Road Construction Project Factsheet
Participating countries: Uganda, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic (CAR).
Total length: Approximately 1,100 kilometers.
Objective: To improve trade, connectivity, and security across the three nations.
Key connection points:
- Uganda to South Sudan: Kampala–Karuma–Nimule–Juba–Kaya–Yei–Juba.
- South Sudan to CAR: Juba–Mundri–Maridi–Yambio–Yubo–Ezo–Bambouti–Obo–Sibuti.
- Additional link: Ezo–Source–Yubu–Bambouti (connecting South Sudan and CAR).
Project phases:
- Phase I (Short-Term): Focuses on urgent repairs, including gravel road upgrades and bridge maintenance to improve immediate access between the countries.
- Phase II (Medium to Long-Term): Involves paving gravel roads and rehabilitating existing paved routes to create a major trade corridor.
Implementation and collaboration:
- A Tripartite Technical Committee (TTC) has been formed, comprising officials from the Ministries of Transport, Infrastructure, Public Works, Defence, Foreign Affairs, and Internal Affairs of the three countries.
- The TTC will be responsible for inspecting the proposed roads, finalizing route alignments, and preparing feasibility studies.
- The countries have agreed to jointly mobilize funding for the long-term development of the corridor.
At the event of the meeting, the delegations expressed gratitude for the visionary leadership that was showcased by the Heads of State from Uganda, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic in addressing the major challenges related to infrastructure development and security, which are key for enhanced connectivity and trade within the region.
Additionally, the Ministers reviewed the outcomes of the bilateral discussions that were held on the Bangu-Kampala Road Infrastructure project that took place in March 2025, under the guidance of President Museveni and President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic.
Uganda-South Sudan-CAR Road Routes
The parties further agreed on the connection points for the road project, namely Kampala-Karuma-Nimule-Juba-Kaya-Yeyi-Juba to link Uganda with South Sudan. They also established routes from South Sudan to the Central African Republic through Juba-Mundri-Yambi-Yumbo-Ezo-Bambouti-Obo-Sibuti.
The meeting prioritised a phased approach to project development. The phases were categorised into short, medium, and long-term phases.
The Uganda-South Sudan-CAR Road Construction to be Conducted in Two Phases
Phase I, which will be the short-term initiative,will focus on maintenance and emergency works. These entail gravel road improvements and bridge repairs in order to facilitate connections among the three countries.
As for Phase II, which is identified as the medium to long-term phase, will entail tarmacking gravel roads and the rehabilitation existing paved routes.
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Lastly, the meeting concluded with an agreement on joint mobilisation of funding for the long-term development of the road project which will become a key regional trade corridor.
A Tripartite Technical Committee Established
Additionally, a Tripartite Technical Committee (TTC) was established. It composed of technical officials from the ministries that are responsible for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works, as well as Defence, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and the Solicitor General. Furthermore, the committee was tasked with conducting a joint inspection of the proposed project routes. It will also finalize road alignments, feasibility studies, and the joint implementation framework.
Also, at a sideline to the Tripartite meeting, the Ministers that are responsible for Civil Aviation from Uganda and the Central African Republic concluded a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and a Memorandum of Understanding on the BASA. This will foresee the enhancement of aviation connectivity between the two countries. The aviation connectivity includes the planned commencement of Uganda Airlines flights to the Central African Republic.
The Ministers instructed the technical team to wind up the necessary procedures. This would reaffirming their commitment to regional integration to cut transport costs for trade, facilitate people-to-people movement, and also enhance security collaboration among the countries to safeguard the corridor.
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The next Tripartite meeting is anticipated once the TTC has completed the inspection. The specific dates will be communicated through diplomatic channels.
