By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: While celebrating 12th Independence Anniversary in remembrance of b their fallen heroes and reflecting on the importance of Unity, peace, harmony and how they (heroes) played a vital role for the success today, H.E Simon Juach Deng, S.Sudan Ambassador to Uganda assured S. Sudanese refugees in Uganda that back home is relatively peaceful so they may choose to go back.
He made these remarks leaning on the efforts invested in harmonizing the causes that catalyzed nationals to free their countries to the neighbors in particular Uganda.
Economy wise, Amb. Deng told this publication that Uganda exported goods worth $500Million to South Sudan between 2022/24. He added that Uganda also exports essential human resource capital to South Sudan for example teachers, nurses, mechanics and staff in the NGO sector. Over 200,000 Ugandan traders generation an estimate of $900Million . On the other hand South Sudan exported $86Million to Uganda during the same time.
“We are thankful to Uganda for hosting for hosting refugees from South Sudan and accommodating large student population estimated at 100,000 that contributes an estimate of $10Million annually.” Ambassador Juach.
He added that South Sudan and Uganda signed Electricity Power Sale Agreement which he termed as a new source of revenue to Uganda and energy to South Sudan to boost economy.
On education, H.E Juach recognized South Sudanese Community in Uganda as heroes in the fight against literacy and achievement of country’s vision of ‘One People, One Nation and One Identity’.
It should be remembered that South Sudan President, H.E Salvar Kiir Mayardit and Mission in Uganda has always emphasized social cohesion, peaceful co-existence and abiding by the Ugandan laws arguing that Uganda is more receptive and hospitable.
While delivering congratulatory message on behalf Uganda’s at the celebrations, Hon. Hillary Onek, Uganda’s Minister for Refugees and Disaster Preparedness highlighted that Uganda hosts a big number of South Sudan but saying, the government embarked on empowering refugees by extending to them vocational training that impart into them skills which can make them generate resources for themselves and build their country so when they go back definitely they will be an asset to South Sudan.
He admitted that Uganda stood by South Sudanese in the struggle for their in for independence.
“Our concern and interest is to see your country should enjoy peace, your people must work together and united. You must co-exist because your destiny is one, if South Sudan is prosperous, peaceful and successful, all of you will enjoy that count but if you don’t allow it because of small difference of secretarianism, you’ll destroy that beautiful country”. Minister Onek.
Representing the heads of diplomatic missions, H.E Elin Ostebo Johansen, the Norwegian Ambassador to Uganda remarked,
“As you might know, Norway has been part of this process from the beginning, we have been there trying to support and facilitate the new state called South Sudan and I can assure you, we are still here with you”.
She admitted that when she arrived in Uganda four years ago, she visited Adjumani in refugee communities heavily populated by South Sudanese, women and children and was her heart-warning experience in Uganda because of Uganda’s way of refugee response which should be a model for the entire world through empowerinther education and well how S. Sudanese expressed their culture through dances.
Onamaku Natalie, the Vice President of South Sudan Students in Uganda called upon all South Sudanese to exhibit patriotism arguing that no one is going to transform their country for them. She urged all South Sudanese to educate their children saying that many are suffering because of lacking education that would give them direction.
She lauded the South Sudanese Embassy in Uganda for emphasizing the issue of culture recognition exhibited in different spheres of life in Uganda as well at the celebration where they all participated equitably. South Sudan has over 64 culture spread across all corners of it. He also believed that students have the opportunity of shaping their nation through learning and understand their history and sacrifice made for their freedom.
South Sudan seceded from the Republic of Sudan in 2011 with the help of Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA.M).
Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia, Sudan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Kenya. Its population was estimated at 10,913,164 in 2022. Juba is the capital and largest city.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on 9 July 2011, making it the most recent sovereign state or country with widespread recognition as of 2023.
Between 9 and 15 January 2011, as a consequence of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a referendum was held to determine whether South Sudan should become an independent country and separate from Sudan, and 98.83% of those who took part voted for independence. 
