Kajokeji: money matters
Since 2005, there have been two currencies circulating in the markets of Kajokeji County, Central Equatoria State: Sudanese Pounds and Ugandan Shillings. The County Commissioner, Muki Batali, has now announced a ban on the use of the Ugandan shillings, in a move by the county authorities to end use of foreign currency.
According to the decree, those traders found using Ugandan money will receive a jail term of two months or a fine of 200 Sudanese pounds. Some traders however protested this, demanding the Government to construct the Juba-Kajokeji road, so they do not have to import all goods from Uganda, where they are double taxed by the Ugandan Government and also the Sudanese Government at the border.
We don’t have a road that connects us to big markets like Juba."
We don’t have a road that connects us to big markets like Juba. Where shall we get our goods or exchange the pounds to buy new stock if we don’t use the Uganda shilling?” a trader in Jalimo village market who requested anonymity said.
According to him there is no bank in Kajokeji where they can exchange foreign currencies to be able to import good from neighbouring Uganda, so as a result they are forced to sell their goods in Ugandan shillings because it doesn’t require them to exchange. Where is the bank for us to change our pounds to other currencies, if we want to import goods”, he asked.
Kajokeji County (bright red) - wiki commons
In Kajokeji town, some of the traders voiced the same demand as their village counterparts. Nobody refuses our money but where can we use it? There is no road to Juba or any other county. If we want to buy goods we go to Uganda. If we are sick, we go to Uganda. We get everything from Uganda because there is no road that can link us to any part of Sudan. Let the Government construct for us roads so that we are connected to the rest of Sudan, like other counties”, said Jackson, a trader who preferred a single name because he was not permitted by national security office to comment on the matter.
Buyers however accused the traders of exaggerating prices and lowering the exchange rate of the Sudanese Pound. Traders in Juba import goods from Kampala, like here, but these traders charge higher prices compared to those in Juba. We need the Government to control the prices and exchange rates”, complained Rose Meling, a resident who was shopping in the market.
Let the Government end the use of Uganda shillings."
Mulo Thomas, a civil servant praised the move by the Government to end the use of the Ugandan Shilling, We receive our salaries in Sudanese Pounds but when we get to the market our money becomes of less value, the exchange rate is very low sometimes the business people refuse the Sudanese pound. Let the Government end the use of Uganda Shillings”, Molu said.
After the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 different currencies were used throughout the South. However when the Sudanese Pound was introduced the use of foreign currencies reduced, as counties or states were connected with newly-repaired roads. Kajokeji though, at the border with Uganda, is not connected to any part of the South with a good road.
The emergency road constructed by the government in 2008 has turned impassible during rainy seasons. Travellers can spend three days or a week to reach the county, which is 75 miles away from Juba.
The lack of roads has hindered development in the county. There are few aid organisations in the county, many say because it is not easily accessible. The hospital that was constructed during the colonial era has no drugs or doctors. The sick travel to Uganda to private hospitals for treatment if they can afford to, but the majority are too poor and so cannot access any medical services.
