A sign post showing Ugandan Embassy premises in South Sudan [©Gurtong]
By Juma John Stephen
JUBA, 13th February 2012 [Gurtong] – The First Secretary and Head of Chancellors in the Ugandan Embassy in South Sudan, Mr. Tumwesigye Sarapio has told the media that the embassy has registered more than 10,000 Ugandans living in Juba and will cover other towns soonest.
“We have registered more than 10, 000 Ugandans living in Juba, South Sudan. We are planning to reach other Ugandan nationals residing in other States starting with Western Bahr el Ghazal then others to follow suit,” Sarapio said.
This exercise comes after the Government of South Sudan issued an order on the 19th December 2011 to 20th January 2012 that all foreigners should be registered by their embassies. The Ugandan Embassy responded to the secular by registering Ugandans who had valid travel documents. Tumwesigye Sarapio admitted that most of his countrymen dint has legal immigration documents.
“I appeal to those Ugandans who only have travel permits that it’s not what the government of South Sudan wants. They should go back home and get proper documents in order to stay peacefully in South Sudan,” he said.
“Most Ugandans only have temporary movement permits which they received at the point of entry from Kaya, Nimule and Afogi valid for only 30 days and this limits the powers of the migration officers of South Sudan to issue a visa,” Sarapio continued.
“We have registered so many Ugandans but we have not given them travel documents. The embassy is not mandated to issue travel documents, its the Ministry of Internal Affairs back home that can issue this; but we negotiated and got a mutual agreement with the officials in the Ministry of Interior (in South Sudan) that we issue identification certificates to Ugandans,” he further explained.
The Temporary Movement Permit they have is meant for people who live along common borders just crossing over for one or two days events.
“The law of South Sudan will take its course for those Ugandans who take this exercise for granted, because we as Ugandans don’t encourage illegal immigrants,” Sarapio added.
Under normal circumstances whoever goes to another country to look for work, is suppose to acquire a work permit which most Ugandans don’t have. South Sudan is not yet part of the East African Community where there is free movement of goods and labour.