(YAMBIO) – The Yambio Campus of St. John Catholic University (SJCU) in South Sudan has entered a formal partnership with Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) aimed at advancing agricultural education to address persistent food insecurity in Western Equatoria State.
The agreement was finalised following a high level visit on 28 July 2025 by a UMU delegation to the SJCU campus. The collaboration is focused specifically on agricultural sciences and is intended to equip students with hands-on skills relevant to the local job market and food production needs.
Speaking after the signing, SJCU’s Director of Academic and Research, Fr Basana Alfred, highlighted the importance of shifting away from reliance on white collar jobs.
“Our citizens are in desperate need of agricultural education. We aim to equip our people with practical skills to secure employment,” he said. “We are committed to implementing UMU’s proven methodologies to achieve these vital objectives. With UMU’s collaboration and support, we aspire to reach their level of excellence in agricultural education.”
The agreement seeks to build on UMU’s established experience in agricultural training to enhance curriculum development and hands-on teaching at SJCU. This includes field based learning, modern farming techniques, and business approaches to agriculture suitable for the South Sudanese context.
UMU’s Academic Registrar, Fr Joseph Buchana Kisoga, expressed his commitment to the partnership.
“Following productive discussions with SJCU leadership on July 3, it was agreed that a UMU delegation should visit Yambio without delay,” he stated. “I made a commitment to be here today, and I am pleased to honour that promise.”
Representing the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY), Fr Dominic Sasa welcomed the Ugandan delegation and praised the initiative.
“Despite the broader challenges facing South Sudan, Yambio remains a beacon of peace. Feel secure and move freely,” he told the visiting team. He also commended Bishop Edward Hiiboro Kussala for his leadership in initiating the collaboration.
“We deeply thank the Bishop, even in his absence, for his foresight and unwavering commitment,” Fr Sasa said. “Today, we witness the fruits of his labour as God blesses us through UMU, bringing invaluable knowledge essential for our people’s progress.”
Fr Sasa confirmed that SJCU is prepared for the seven day working visit by the UMU delegation.
“We have an ambitious agenda for these next seven days and stand ready to provide all necessary materials requested by our partners. Our focus is firmly on achieving concrete outcomes.”
Key features of the partnership:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Institutions Involved | SJCU (Yambio) and UMU (Uganda) |
| Area of Focus | Agricultural sciences |
| Visit Date | 28 July 2025 |
| Duration of Working Visit | 7 days |
| Key Objective | Enhance practical agricultural training |
| Long-Term Aim | Food security and employment in South Sudan |
No specific monetary figures were mentioned in the report.
Discover more from Access Radio Yei News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
