South Sudanese Students in Uganda attend the election of their leaders at South Sudan Embassy in Kampala last year [©ST]
By Lopu Moses
JUBA, 21st February 2012 [Gurtong] - The South Sudanese Students Union in Uganda has expressed gratitude to the Governors of Lake State, Eng. Chol Tong Mayay and Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State Hon. Rizik Hassan Zackaria for their 45,000 South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) financial support to the Union.
The Union’s Finance Secretary, Bill Dhieu Manyang expressed gratitude to the Governors for their generous contribution.
At least 45,000 SSP has been raised by the two Governors with the Lake State Governor contributing SSP 30,000 and the Western Bahr-el-Ghazal State Governor contributing 15,000 SSP and promising 10,000 SSP.
Bill Dhieu revealed that the Students’ Union intends to hold a conference and that they had written letters to the Governors for support; their feedback was positive.
He further said that Hon. Rizik had approved 25,000 SSP and that due to financial difficulties, 15,000 SSP was handed to him and that the Governor promised to give them the remaining money.
“On behalf of the Union, I am happy for the response from the Governors of Lakes and Western Bahr-el-Ghazal States for their support to the Union,” he said.
Bill further said that despite the fact that some Governors have not given them their contribution, they have promised to do so soon.
The Union last year received a sum of 17,000 SSP from the Lake State Governor and this makes it second contribution for supporting the Union.
Mr. Bill further called on the government to continue supporting student activities.
The Union Finance Secretary said that due to the shutting down of oil production, they were hit with challenges due to lack of funds.
He added that they intend to hold a conference for about 15,000 South Sudanese students studying in Uganda.
Last year, President Salva Kiir Mayardit donated cash of about 50,000 USD to the Union.
The Union, a non partisan organization of South Sudanese Students in Uganda was formed back in 2007 with an objective of uniting the South Sudanese students in Uganda. The students Union is a legal organization registered in Uganda.