The Ugandan Traders Association in South Sudan is calling for peace and the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan.
The traders say the crisis in South Sudan is having an adverse effect on the economies of Uganda and South Sudan.
In an interview with Eye Radio, the Chairperson of the Association of Ugandan Traders in South Sudan said negotiators in Addis Ababa should bear in mind the social and economic impact the conflict has on the region.
Patrick Ntegge Walusimbi said South Sudan is losing in terms of importing goods from abroad, while the economy of Uganda is negatively affected by the violence in South Sudan.
“South Sudan is Uganda’s biggest trading partner, with revenues exceeding over 500 million US dollars per annum,” said Mr Walusimbi.
“So, if there is war in South Sudan, definitely the economy of Uganda is affected, especially in the agricultural field because basically we are the food basket for South Sudan, and we have the biggest number of traders in South Sudan, and you know, most of the traders get their funding from banks.”
Mr. Walusimbi called upon all parties to the conflict in South Sudan to urgently reach a peaceful settlement.
He said before the violence, there were close to a million Ugandan traders across South Sudan with investments in small and large businesses.