KAMPALA, March 27 (Xinhua) -- The governments of Uganda and Sudan have agreed to improve the transport and communication network between the two countries in a bid to boost trade. The deal was reached at the fifth session of the Joint Ministerial Commission in Khartoum, Sudan last week, the state owned New Vision reported on Tuesday.

The two countries committed themselves to improving the road network by upgrading four key roads connecting them.

Ruhakana Rugunda, minister of Internal Affairs and leader of the Ugandan delegation, said the Gulu-Nimule-Juba-Malakal and Arua-Koboko-Juba roads will be tarmacked, while the Moroto-Kotido-Kaabong-Kapoeta and the Kitgum-Ikotus roads will be made first-class gravel.

The two countries also agreed to reactivate water transport on River Nile between Packwach and southern Sudan's capital Juba and build a railway network between Packwach-Arua-Yei-Juba-Wau or Gulu-Atiak-Nimule-Juba-Wau.

Sudan Airways, which suspended flights to Uganda about a year ago, has promised to resume operation at Entebbe airport, 40 km south of Kampala, next month.

According to Rugunda, the two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding that provides for cooperation in health care and the prevention of malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.