AGP Executive Report

Regional Tourism: East African Community states have adopted a 10-year strategy to market the region as one destination, with cross-border travel packages and AFCON 2027 among the opportunities. Health & Travel: South Sudan has no confirmed Ebola cases, but Kenya’s third case has raised concern over cross-border travel. Authorities have prioritised 15 counties for readiness, while gaps remain in medical response and logistics. Road Links: Uganda and South Sudan may seek African Development Bank support to rebuild the Juba–Nimule road, a key corridor for travel and trade. Road Safety: A traveller injured on the Yei–Juba road has renewed calls to improve the route, citing poor conditions and limited phone coverage.

Regional Tourism: East African Community ministers adopted a 2027–2036 strategy to market the region as one destination, with cross-border packages and AFCON 2027 in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania set to draw international attention. Travel Health: Kenya has confirmed a third Bundibugyo Ebola case, while South Sudan reports no cases and has named 15 counties as priority areas for readiness. Travellers should check entry rules: some countries impose 21-day restrictions on visitors recently in South Sudan or neighbouring affected countries. Road Access: Uganda and South Sudan plan to seek African Development Bank support to rebuild the Juba–Nimule road, a key travel and trade link; funding is not yet secured. Sports Travel: South Sudan’s Patriots BC will compete in BAL qualifiers in Hoima, Uganda, from October 21–25, bringing regional basketball fans to the newly built arena.

Ebola Travel Watch: South Sudan has no confirmed Ebola cases, but authorities have placed 15 counties, including Juba, Yei, Yambio and Nimule, on high-priority alert after Kenya confirmed a third case. The U.S. requires a 21-day wait or quarantine for travellers returning from South Sudan, Uganda or the DRC; Saudi Arabia has barred entry for travellers from those countries. Road Safety: A traveller injured in an incident on the Yei–Juba road has called for urgent repairs, citing poor conditions and limited phone coverage. Separately, Uganda and South Sudan are considering seeking AfDB funding to rebuild the Juba–Nimule highway, a key cross-border route; the proposal is not yet a funded project. Sports Travel: South Sudan’s Patriots BC will compete in the BAL qualifiers in Hoima, Uganda, from October 21–25, giving fans a regional event to follow.

Ebola Readiness: Kenya’s third Bundibugyo case was detected in a quarantined contact; South Sudan has no confirmed cases, but authorities are stepping up preparedness because of cross-border travel and trade. Sports Travel: South Sudan’s Patriots BC will play in the BAL qualifiers in Hoima, Uganda, October 21–25; the top two teams advance to Nairobi’s Elite 16. Road Safety: A traveller injured in an incident near Gangi has renewed calls to improve the Yei–Juba road. Uganda and South Sudan are also seeking AfDB support to rebuild the key Juba–Nimule trade route. Regional Tourism: East African Community officials discussed tourism alongside transport links, trade and investment as priorities for closer regional cooperation.

Ebola and Entry Rules: Kenya confirmed a second linked Ebola case, detected in quarantine, and says there is no sign of wider spread or need for travel restrictions. But South Sudanese travellers face limits elsewhere: the US renewed its 30-day entry restriction for foreign nationals recently in South Sudan, Uganda or the DRC, while Saudi Arabia has suspended entry from those countries. Canada has also paused processing many immigration documents. Getting Around: A traveller injured in an incident on the Yei–Juba road is urging repairs, citing poor conditions and limited phone coverage that delayed contact with family. Kenya Travel Update: Foreign visitors entering Kenya must have the required health insurance, a rule in effect since October 5. Regional Links: EAC discussions in Bangkok included tourism and transport connectivity, alongside plans to boost regional trade and investment.

Road Safety: A traveller injured in an incident near Gangi has renewed calls to improve the Yei–Juba road, where poor conditions and weak network coverage can complicate journeys. Regional Security: A Kenyan truck driver was reportedly killed on the Mahagi–Bunia–Kisangani route in the DRC, prompting a warning to transport crews using the corridor. Entry Restrictions: Saudi Arabia has barred arrivals from South Sudan, the DRC and Uganda, while the US renewed 30-day entry restrictions for some travellers recently present in those countries amid Ebola concerns. Check rules before booking. Regional Travel: South Sudan’s central bank governor urged EAC states to improve transport links and cooperation, with tourism among the areas discussed as a potential beneficiary.

Health-Related Travel Restrictions: Saudi Arabia has barred arrivals from South Sudan, Uganda and the DRC, and suspended entry visas for people who visited any of the three within the previous 21 days. The US has renewed its 30-day entry restrictions for travellers recently present in the countries, while Canada’s Ebola-related measures continue to delay immigration documents and applications. Regional Tourism Links: At talks in Bangkok, South Sudan’s central bank governor urged EAC partners to deepen cooperation, with tourism and transport connectivity among areas identified for stronger regional ties.

Travel Restrictions: Canada’s Ebola-related measures have suspended nearly 25,000 immigration documents and delayed more than 33,000 applications, including those from South Sudanese nationals; the restrictions run until November 27. The US has also renewed a 30-day entry restriction for foreign nationals recently present in South Sudan, Uganda or the DRC. Regional Tourism: At meetings in Bangkok on October 14, South Sudan’s delegation urged EAC partners to improve transport links and investment, with tourism among the areas identified for closer cooperation. Road Safety: An Eco Bus travelling from Juba to Kampala crashed on the Juba–Nimule highway, leaving several passengers with minor injuries and no reported deaths.

Ebola Travel Rules: The US has renewed for 30 days restrictions barring foreign nationals who have been in South Sudan, Uganda or the DRC during the previous 21 days from entering the country. Canada has also suspended processing of several visa and permit applications from nationals of those three countries for 60 days from September 28. Health Preparedness: South Sudan says it has no confirmed Ebola cases but is on high alert after Kenya reported an imported case; authorities are stepping up surveillance amid cross-border travel and trade. Road Travel: An Eco Bus travelling from Juba to Kampala crashed on the Juba–Nimule highway, leaving several passengers with minor injuries. No deaths were reported.

Canada Visa Freeze: Ottawa has suspended processing for 60 days of visa and permit applications from South Sudanese, Ugandan and Congolese nationals, including visitor, work and study applications. The order took effect on September 28 and is linked to Ebola concerns. U.S. Entry Rules: The CDC has extended for 30 days a U.S. entry suspension affecting travellers from South Sudan, Uganda and the DRC amid the regional outbreak. Ebola Preparedness: South Sudan says it has no confirmed cases but has raised its health alert and is screening at border crossings after Kenya confirmed an imported case. Juba–Kampala Road: An Eco Bus on the Juba–Nimule route was involved in a crash; several passengers suffered minor injuries and no deaths were reported.

Ebola Travel Watch: South Sudan says it has no confirmed cases but has raised its alert and strengthened surveillance after Kenya confirmed an imported case. The US extended a 30-day entry restriction covering travellers from South Sudan, Uganda and the DRC. Visa Restrictions: The UAE says it has suspended new visas for South Sudanese, Ugandan and Congolese nationals and bars entry for travellers arriving from those countries; the notice gives an effective date of June 6. Road Safety: An Eco Bus travelling from Juba to Kampala crashed on the Juba–Nimule highway, leaving several passengers with minor injuries and no reported deaths. Official Travel: President Salva Kiir reiterated that government officials and members of the organised forces need his approval before travelling abroad; the directive is set to last three months.

Road Travel: An Eco Bus travelling from Juba to Kampala crashed on the Juba–Nimule highway. Several passengers suffered minor injuries; no deaths were reported. Health Precautions: South Sudan has raised Ebola surveillance after Kenya confirmed an imported case. No cases have been reported in South Sudan, but health officials cite cross-border travel and new outbreak hotspots near the border with the DRC as concerns. Local Safety: Clashes in Rumbek killed at least 71 people, including four soldiers, underscoring security risks for travel in the area.

Regional Transport: An Eco Bus travelling from Juba to Kampala crashed on the Juba–Nimule highway, leaving several passengers with minor injuries; no deaths were reported. Health & Travel: South Sudan has heightened Ebola surveillance after Kenya confirmed an imported case. No cases have been confirmed in South Sudan, but authorities say they are monitoring border crossings and regional travel routes.

Transport Safety: An Eco Bus travelling from Juba to Kampala crashed on the Juba–Nimule highway, leaving several passengers with minor injuries; no deaths were reported. The company runs daily cross-border services. Health Watch: South Sudan has raised its Ebola alert after Kenya confirmed an imported case. No cases have been reported in South Sudan, but authorities say they are screening at entry points and preparing isolation units amid busy regional travel routes.

Health & Border Travel: South Sudan has no confirmed Ebola cases but is on high alert after Kenya confirmed an imported case. Regional screening has tightened, so cross-border travellers should follow health updates. Travel Safety: Clashes in Rumbek killed at least 71 people; authorities say security forces restored order, but check local conditions before travelling. Visa Access: The U.S. has suspended visa issuance to South Sudanese nationals, while South Sudan is also excluded from the Philippines’ standard 30-day visa-free entry list. Kenya Travel: Kenya says it remains open to tourists despite the Ebola case, with health authorities tracing contacts and monitoring arrivals.

Travel Access: The U.S. has suspended visa issuance to South Sudanese nationals under a policy that took effect in January, limiting travel to the United States. Health Preparedness: South Sudan has no confirmed Ebola cases but has raised its alert level after an imported case in Kenya; WHO says new outbreak hotspots are appearing near South Sudan’s border with the DRC. Safety: Clashes in Rumbek killed at least 71 people, underscoring security risks for travel in the area. Juba Events: Catholic parishes across the capital are marking St. Daniel Comboni’s solemnity today, with the main celebration at St. Theresa’s Kator Cathedral.