FORTPORTAL .
President Museveni Friday convened a Tripartite meeting at Fort Portal State Lodge with delegations from the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Uganda.
The meeting aimed to initiate plans for a Tripartite 1,100 km Road Project designed to connect Uganda and the Central African Republic via South Sudan, thereby fostering regional trade where currently none exists.
During the meeting, the delegations expressed gratitude for the visionary leadership displayed by the Heads of State from Uganda, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic in addressing critical challenges related to infrastructure development and security, which are essential for enhanced connectivity and trade in the region.
The Ministers reviewed the outcomes of the bilateral discussions on the Bangu-Kampala Road Infrastructure project that took place in March 2025, under the guidance of President Museveni and President Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic.
Their shared aim was to enhance regional connectivity and trade through infrastructure development.
The parties further agreed on the connection points for the project, namely Kampala-Karuma-Nimule-Juba-Kaya-Yeyi-Juba to link Uganda with South Sudan.
They also established routes from South Sudan to the Central African Republic through Juba-Mundri-Yambi-Yumbo-Ezo-Bambouti-Obo-Sibuti.
The meeting prioritised a phased approach to project development, categorising it into short, medium, and long-term phases.
Phase I, the short-term initiative, focuses on maintenance and emergency works, such as gravel road improvements and bridge repairs to facilitate connections among the three countries.
Phase II, identified as the medium to long-term phase, involves tarmacking gravel roads and rehabilitating existing paved routes.
The meeting concluded with an agreement on joint mobilisation of funding for the long-term development of the project as a regional trade corridor.
A Tripartite Technical Committee (TTC) was established, composed of technical officials from the ministries responsible for Transport, Infrastructure, and Public Works, as well as Defence, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and the Solicitor General.
This committee is tasked with conducting a joint inspection of the proposed project routes, finalising road alignments, feasibility studies, and the joint implementation framework.
At a sideline to the Tripartite meeting, the Ministers responsible for Civil Aviation from Uganda and the Central African Republic concluded a Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) and a Memorandum of Understanding on the BASA to enhance aviation connectivity between the two countries, including the planned commencement of Uganda Airlines flights to the Central African Republic.
The Ministers directed the technical team to finalise the necessary procedures, reaffirming their commitment to regional integration to reduce transport costs for trade, facilitate people-to-people movement, and enhance security collaboration to safeguard the corridor.
The visiting Honourable Ministers from the Central African Republic and South Sudan extended their appreciation to President Museveni and his government for their warm reception.
The next Tripartite meeting is anticipated once the TTC has completed the inspection, with specific dates to be communicated through diplomatic channels.
The meeting concluded with the Ministers from the respective countries signing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement and the joint communiqué.
President Museveni expressed his gratitude for their commitment to fostering regional cooperation and dialogue.
Attending the meeting were Honourable Gen. Katumba Wamala, Uganda’s Minister of Works and Transport; Honourable Simon Mijok Mijak, South Sudan’s Minister of Roads and Bridges; Honourable Eric Mathieu Rokosse-Kamot, Central Africa’s Minister of Equipment and Public Works; and technical officials from various ministries responsible for transport, infrastructure, and public works.