Uganda, South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) have signed a series of bilateral and tripartite agreements to develop cross-border road infrastructure and expand air connectivity.
The agreements have been concluded today, 15th of May at the end of a three-day Tripartite Ministerial Meeting held in Kampala, hosted by Hon. Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport. The meeting brought together transport and infrastructure ministers from the three nations to strategize on collaborative infrastructure development and regional trade promotion.
The initiative follows an earlier engagement in March 2025, where Gen. Katumba Wamala led a Ugandan delegation to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, to engage officials on the cross-border infrastructure project. The outcome was the agreement to convene the tripartite meeting in Kampala.
During the tripartite meeting held in Kampala, the officials discussed that the robust road infrastructure development project will commence from Uganda, Kampala-Karuma-Arua-Oraba-Kaya-Yeyi-Juba and/or Kampala-Karuma-Nimule-Juba-Kaya-Yeyi-Juba (Uganda to South Sudan); Juba-Mundri-Maridi-Yambio-Yubo-Ezo-Bambouti-Obo-Sibuti (South Sudan to CAR); and Ezo-Source-Yubu -Bambouti (South Sudan- Central African Republic).
The Ministers held and agreed to a phased project development and a joint mobilization of funding for the long-term undertakings of the project from the development partners to fund the project as a regional trade corridor.
A Tripartite Technical Committee (TTC) was formed composed of technical officials from the Ministries responsible for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works, Defense and Security, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Solicitor General to conduct a joint inspection of the project on the proposed routes, finalize the road alignment, feasibility studies, and joint implementation framework.
At the sidelines of the Tripartite meeting, the Ministers responsible for Civil Aviation of the Republic of Uganda and Central African Republic concluded a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on operationalization of the BASA to enhance the aviation connectivity between Uganda and CAR, including planned commencement of Uganda Airlines flights to Central African Republic.
The Ministers expressed appreciation to the visionary leadership of the Heads of State of the Republic of Uganda, South Sudan and Central African Republic as guided on addressing the bottlenecks to infrastructure development and security for connectivity and trade promotion in the region
Uganda’s Minister for Works and Transport, Gen Edward Katumba Wamala, emphasized the importance of the project in fostering economic growth and regional stability.
Representing the Central African Republic, the Minister for Equipment and Public Works; Hon Eric Mathieu ROKOSSE-KAMOT expressed optimism about the collaboration, noting that improved road networks would significantly boost commerce and ease transportation challenges.
South Sudan’s delegation, led by the Minister for Roads and Bridges, Hon. Simon Mijok Mijak, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the road’s potential to enhance security and economic integration.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation of the Central African Republic, Hon. Herbert Gontran DJONO-AHABA observed that a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with Uganda, would be very integral in enabling travelers to have easy ways to travel within the region hence reducing travel time.
In attendance were Government Officials and Diplomatic representatives including, Mr. Pius Perry Biribonwoha-the Solicitor General of Uganda, Amb. Brig. Gen. Ronnie Barya-Uganda’s Ambassador to South Sudan, Amb. Farid Kalisa-Uganda’s Ambassador to the Central African Republic, and senior and technical teams from the three countries who witnessed the launch of discussions and agreements that will shape the future of cross-border connectivity, transform transportation across the region, unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen diplomatic ties.
The Ministers have shared insights of the discussions held with President Yoweri Museveni and signed the agreements this afternoon.
