The governments of Uganda and South Sudan have signed a cross-border agreement that will allow Kampala to export electricity into the latter’s border towns.
The move is aimed at promoting trade and development through improved connectivity.
The electricity supply will focus on Nimule, Kajo, Keji and Kaya towns.
The two countries hope this will stimulate further economic activity between northern Uganda and South Sudan.
Uganda’s minister for Energy Simon D’Ujang said the deal was already in place, and that his country was only waiting for communication from South Sudan, in order to come up with a scope.
“The Onus is now on the republic of South Sudan to say, we want a transformer here, we want this line to go this far, we want this line to go here and there and this technical committee will come up with the scope.”
Uganda is already implementing cross border electrification with Tanzania and Rwanda.
It is a requirement under the East African Community framework for partner states to share power with communities near the grid along the border points.
South Sudan authorities hope the electrification will enable displaced persons to return to their country to start businesses.
“If this facility is provided, it can facilitate the return of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), they can go to their homes and even relieve Uganda the burden of having a lot of refugees at the border.” South Sudanese Minister for Energy Dhieu Mathok Diing said.
