A Ugandan delegate has asked the people of Eastern Equatoria to forgive the country for any wrongs committed during the different phases of the sudanese war as he pledged support from northern Uganda against anyone hellbent on destabilizing new country.
Eastern Equatoria is bordered by three countries that have played major roles in the liberation struggle – Ethiopia in the early phases of the war by the SPLA, Uganda in the early 1960s and later in the battle of Pogee that changed the tide of war against the north, and Kenya in the 1990s and the 2000s.
W’Ochieng said the leaders from northern Uganda won’t let enemies operate from there to disturb the peace in the new country. Northern Uganda equally suffered the pains of war at the brutal hands of the Lord’s Resistant Army rebels under Joseph Kony who later transported his atrocities to South Sudan especially to western Equatoria State. The LRA bandits fled to Eastern Equatoria state after they incurred losses on their forces and then to Western Equatoria where the rebels have continued inflicting untold havoc on the civilian population.
W’ochieng said the people of northern Ugandan can never be in peace without harmony in South Sudan.
Agago District Chairman Peter Dock W’Ochieng, speaking on behalf of the Uganda delegation at Torit Freedom Square last week, said that, in some instances, Ugandan leaders supported the northern government against the interests of South Sudanese.
W’Ochieng cited the brutal murder by the Ugandan Army of peace icons like father Saturlino Ohure and Father Leopoldo Anywar whose remains were brought back from Uganda to be buried in South Sudan land before the declaration of the country independence.
He added that the people of South Sudan and northern Uganda have a common responsibility to play towards establishing a lasting peace in the two areas, through promotion of business and mutual love to.
W’Ochieng said good neighbourly relations should continues and the two countries should seek achievements together in education, health, agriculture, trade and investments.
W’Ochieng said the ties were not perfect, but they can be improved.
Gideon Moi, who led the Kenyan delegation, said that his government is ready to help the Republic of South Sudan to develop all sectors.
Moi said Kenya played a great role to ensure that South Sudan, being a young and newest country, remains stable, unlike the developing countries that got Independence half a century ago but remain unstable.
MP seeks to arrest anyone using national anthem as a ringtone
Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly Spokesperson Joseph Kolombos Lokodo has said the national anthem will be taken for a joke if people continue using it as a telephone ringtone.
Lokodo said every individual, especially in Eastern Equatoria, must take the order seriously or else they may face punishment through the law for having taking the pride and the national anthem of the independence state like South Sudan for a joke.
Lokodo said such acts would degrade the valve of the anthem losing it respect from citizens, neighboring countries and diplomats.
He added that the National Anthem is an important national symbol for the country and should be used with respect and dignity only on all official and ceremonial occasions.
Similar urgent message was conveyed that no one in South Sudan should use the National Anthem as a ring tone, according to security sources.
Lokodo, also the Chairperson of the Standing Committee for Information at EESLA said national security personnel across the country should see to it that whoever was found joking and using the national Anthem for fun should be detained.
Most people, however, are protesting the measure, warning saying that the ring tones unite the nation and it’s a public expression of joy and pride of being Southerners.
Some concurred with the ban saying it should only be used during important public days or ceremonies not limited to sporting and community occasions.
Patrick Lodinga Kotein, Advisor for Social Services to the State Government welcomed the move, saying over-playing the country’s National Anthem would be monotonous.
“If you look at any nation in the world; you will realize that the monotony will make citizens lose attention and honor when the anthem is played during public functions or hoisting of the flag,” Kotein said. “Therefore, it requires us to immediately stop using it as a ring tone or singing it unnecessarily.”
We’re ready for inter-state sports trophy, says Lopuke
The state minister of Education Michael Lopuke said they will introduce sports activities as the state tries to youths off the streets and in preparation for a major national competition in the future.
Michael Lopuke said South Sudan has great men and women who may lead the world in different sports if they are well prepared hence he calls on the government to invest on sport to select the best personnel to lead South Sudanese.
The minister hailed the earlier start of the promotion of the sport activity by the state government and stress that the state government in Eastern Equatoria will continue to do their best to uplift the spirit of sports in the region and even become the leading state.
The minister said the state started the marathon in Kapoeta north that had drawn a number of youth from payam and Boma level up to the county just to keep the youth busy.
Lopuke said the elderly and the youth appreciated the spirit of the sports launch.
Lopuke said the best leaders in the marathon sport were awarded by giving them three cows, plus some money to the youth that participated and did well.
The state minister said that after the completion of kapoeta marathon launch they will replicate the whole exercise to Torit the seat of the state government.
Bishop Pio: Mazzolari was tireless
BY A CORRESPONDENT
The Auxiliary Bishop of Juba Santo Loku Pio has said Bishop Mazzolari who passed away a weekend ago worked tiressly in Sudan and South Sudan. Pio said this Friday as the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba prayed for the soul of the late Bishop of Rumbek Diocese who was buried in Rumbek. The prayer in Juba simultaneously coincided with the official prayer offered by the Bishops of Sudan and of the Republic of south Sudan in Rumbek.
He educated South Sudan
A church official in Yei urged the faithful to continue to pray for the soul of Bishop Caesar Mozzolari who passed on Saturday
Fr. Emmanuel Lodongo Sebit said during mass last weekend that bishop Mozzolari will always be remembered for his passion for the people of south Sudan. He mentioned that the late bishop was always ready to help the people of south Sudan in the area of education. The priest thanked the Christians for their positive response to the prayer for late bishop Mozzolari.
