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The Nimule border crossing between South Sudan and Uganda has witnessed congestion due to the suspension of thousands of trucks loaded with goods en route to Juba.
Officials reported that the South Sudan government imposed new taxes on trucks, prompting their owners to strike.
Last week, the newly appointed Chairperson of the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), Simon Akuei Deng, issued directives to local and international businesses to comply with the new tax system.
The chairperson of the truckers’ association, Sudi Kawi Mwatela, told Radio Tamazuj that they were not consulted about the recent tax changes.
#Mwatela added that drivers often faced harassment and illegal fees along the Nimule-Juba road, which angered them.
,”We refuse to cross the border due to the challenges. This has been an ongoing problem for a long time. At every checkpoint, there is harassment, especially after the taxes were imposed without consultation.”. He said
Daniel Deng, a customs clearing agent at Nimule, confirmed the situation, stating that no trucks carrying goods from Uganda had crossed the border.
Deng added that long-haul truck drivers are demanding the immediate removal of illegal roadblocks and a reduction in taxes.
Nimule Town Police Inspector, David Gasmiro, told Radio Tamazuj that approximately 1,000 trucks are currently stranded at the Nimule-Uganda border. He also noted that some truck owners, who were supposed to transport goods to South Sudan, offloaded them along the roads out of fear of the high charges.
