After the Ugandan government made a resolution allowing South Sudanese residents travelling to Uganda visa-free access, the South Sudanese government pledged to reciprocate with visa exemption.
Uganda said this week that it would no longer need visas for South Sudanese nationals starting October 1.
“That means South Sudanese travelling to Uganda would be allowed to visit as long as they have a valid passport and satisfy other health criteria for travellers,” said Rebecca Kadaga, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs.
She said that South Sudan has been given 30 days to reciprocate, but that if it fails, Uganda would reconsider the decision.
“Since the Ugandans have done it, we will certainly do the same… We are members of the East African Community,” South Sudan’s Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth told reporters in Juba on Friday.
The South Sudanese government’s initiative to promote successful East African integration has elicited a range of responses, particularly on social media.
South Sudan joined the regional intergovernmental organization, which also comprises Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi, in April 2016.
