Authorities in Juba have ordered Ugandans, Kenyans, Eritreans and Burundians operating small businesses in the South Sudanese capital to leave the retail trade and allow South Sudanese nationals to take over.
The directive was announced by Juba County Caretaker Commissioner Kalisto Lado during a visit to Kuburi Haboba Market on Monday.
Lado said foreigners should not operate chapati stalls, boda boda services or small-scale businesses selling everyday commodities such as tomatoes, onions and charcoal.
“Somebody should not come from his country to come and make chapati, retail kilos of onions and tomatoes in Juba. What will our women in South Sudan sell?” Lado said.
He urged foreign nationals to focus on wholesale trade, manufacturing and importing goods instead of selling small quantities of everyday commodities.
Lado also called on foreign traders who wish to continue operating in South Sudan to establish registered companies, promising security for the foreign business community as long as retail trade is left to South Sudanese.
The position is not new. Lado made similar calls in 2021 while serving as Juba City mayor, urging the government to restrict foreigners from small-scale retail while encouraging them to invest in wholesale businesses, factories and other industries.
The latest directive could particularly affect Ugandans, who have historically played a significant role in Juba’s informal economy. Many Ugandans in South Sudan operate groceries, transport businesses, salons and mechanic workshops.
The issue also comes against a wider regional debate over the role of foreign traders in small-scale businesses. On September 2, Kenyan President William Ruto ordered a crackdown on foreigners operating small-scale businesses, saying local traders and hawkers needed protection.
The developments have also raised questions about regional integration, with Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan all members of the East African Community (EAC), while Eritrea is not.
Some affected traders have argued that restrictions on their businesses could conflict with EAC commitments on free movement and the right to establish and operate businesses within member states.
#Breaking South Sudan has ordered all Ugandans, Kenyans, Eritreans and Burundians operating small businesses to leave their country immediately. https://t.co/06SpD9ldXK
— Ssuuna King James 🇺🇬 🇰🇪🇹🇿🇸🇩🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@SuunaKing_James) October 6, 2026
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