Gloria Nyoka Joseph, Executive Director of SSNBS, addressed the issue after Ugandan authorities jailed four truck drivers for two months and fined South Sudanese traders for exporting “immature fish” that violated standards.
“We’re asking and urging our traders that before they export, they visit the regulatory institution,” Nyoka told reporters.
“Unfortunately, some traders think they can just take their products without following proper procedures,” she added.
She attributed the incident to a lack of awareness about SSNBS’s role in certifying product quality.
“We have standards for packaging, fish size, labeling, and so on,” Nyoka explained. “These standards are harmonized across the East African Community (EAC).”
Proper certification, she argued, would streamline exports, and prevent issues with neighboring countries.
“If traders implement these standards, our EAC partners won’t have reason to stop their produce,” Nyoka said. “The recent issue was simply a misplaced procedure.”
The SSNBS plans to launch awareness campaigns to educate traders on the importance of quality standards.
“Our job is to provide standards and ensure export-quality fish,” Nyoka said. “Border authorities have the final say, checking for certification from relevant bureaus before allowing exports.”
Media reports indicate that Ugandan authorities seized six trucks carrying salted fish from Juba bound for DR Congo due to packaging and processing violations.
South Sudanese traders were fined 36 million Ugandan shillings (around $9,800), a decision they criticized as excessive and potentially disruptive to EAC free trade principles.