(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – A 20 year old secondary school student is receiving treatment after surviving an arson attack on his home in Yei Town, in an incident that has renewed concerns about insecurity in the area.
Simon Gala, a Senior Two student at Emmanuel Christian Academy Secondary School, was attacked in the early hours of Saturday morning at his home in Kondeko Boma, an area commonly known as the TTC area.
According to his brother, Bangutu John, the incident occurred at around 2:00 a.m. when a group of unidentified attackers stormed the house. They tied Gala’s hands and legs with iron wire, assaulted him and poured petrol around the house before setting it on fire.
Bangutu said neighbours who heard Gala’s cries for help rushed to the scene and rescued him as flames engulfed the iron-roofed house.
The Sub-Chief of Kondeko Sub-Boma, Michael Juma Cosmas, condemned the attack and called on authorities to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. Juma stated that this was reportedly the second attempt on Gala’s life, alleging that individuals linked to an earlier attack involving the student had previously been arrested and remain in police custody in the Kondeko area.
A health worker at Yei Civil Hospital, who was not authorised to speak publicly, said Gala is responding well to treatment but requires continued medical care before discharge.
Dominic Living Wawa, a human rights defender and leader of the Kikiji National Orphanage Centre, visited Gala at Yei Civil Hospital on Sunday. He described the attack to Access Radio as a deliberate attempt on the student’s life and expressed shock over the growing disregard for human life in Yei Town.
Wawa called for greater community cooperation in reporting violence and urged the government to launch an immediate investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. He further appealed to parents to discourage their children from joining criminal gangs and urged local chiefs to work closely with police to prevent violence. He also called for dialogue among young people to address factors driving youth involvement in gang activities and crime.
In addition, Wawa appealed to humanitarian organisations and well-wishers to support Gala with essential assistance during his recovery.
Access Radio was unable to obtain a comment from police authorities by the time of publication.
Meanwhile, community leaders say Yei’s escalating insecurity has been worsened by a leadership vacuum following the absence of a county commissioner.
Johnson Poru Hillary, a resident of Yei Town, said the lack of county leadership has contributed to a rise in security incidents. He referenced the recent killing of a Senior Three student from Excel International School in Hai Delib, approximately four kilometres north of Yei Town.
Sultan Kenyi Elisha John, an area headman in Hai Peace, also called for the swift deployment of the county commissioner.
The Head of the Yei Civil Society Forum, Modi Arkangelo, urged state authorities to act without delay. Residents continue to express concern over increasing violence in Yei and are urging authorities to strengthen security measures and restore confidence among communities.
In a separate development, a village chief from Kajo-Keji County who spent nearly ten months in detention in Uganda has been released and formally handed back to South Sudanese authorities.
Chief Mawa Joseph of Tululu Village in Ajio Boma was received on Thursday during a cross-border handover ceremony at the Afoji checkpoint. The event was attended by officials from Kajo-Keji County and Uganda’s Moyo and Yumbe districts. The handover was presided over by the Executive Director and Acting Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County, Ryembe Benjamin.
Chief Mawa was arrested by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces on 19th December 2025 amid heightened tensions and disputes along the Kajo-Keji-Uganda border. His detention had raised concerns among local communities and prompted repeated calls from traditional leaders and county authorities for a diplomatic solution.
Access Radio Yei News reported that the handover followed a series of high-level security dialogues between local administrators and military liaisons representing Kajo-Keji, Moyo, and Yumbe. Officials confirmed that the chief was handed over in stable physical condition after his prolonged detention.
In Lainya County, Laku Micah Wani has been appointed Caretaker Commissioner following a gubernatorial order issued by Caretaker Governor Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani. The appointment took effect on 1st October 2026, according to Access Radio Yei News. Wani was among six caretaker county commissioners named for Central Equatoria State.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Wani expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the Caretaker Governor. He said he will serve the people of Lainya County with dignity and the fear of God, and thanked the public for the many congratulatory messages he received.
The appointment comes after President Salva Kiir Mayardit dissolved the transitional government on 22nd September 2026, paving the way for general elections scheduled for 22nd December 2026. Under the presidential order establishing the caretaker administration, officials serving in caretaker positions are barred from contesting elective office. They are also required to act impartially and are prohibited from using public office to promote or disadvantage political parties or candidates.
Lainya County is located in Central Equatoria State, bordering Yei River County, Morobo County, Kajo-Keji County and Juba County. It also shares a narrow border with Uganda to the south. The county has faced insecurity in past years, including insurgent activity and displacement, though fighting declined in recent years.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit travelled to Kenya on 4th October 2026 for high level bilateral talks with Kenyan President William Ruto, expected to focus on South Sudan’s upcoming elections, regional stability and economic cooperation.
The visit is Kiir’s first trip to Kenya since the dissolution of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity. It comes as South Sudan prepares for general elections scheduled for 22nd December 2026.
Presidential Press Secretary Ambassador Arek Ajou Deng said the discussions with President Ruto are expected to address South Sudan’s electoral preparations and measures needed to ensure peaceful, credible and successful elections.
She said the two leaders are expected to discuss broader regional and continental support for South Sudan’s electoral process, amid concerns over the security and political environment surrounding the polls.
Arek said the meeting will focus on economic and infrastructure cooperation, including the recent launch of a refinery project in Kenya’s coastal Lamu region. She said Kiir’s visit reaffirms South Sudan’s commitment to regional cooperation, commitment to peaceful elections, and constructive engagement with neighbours and the international community.
The visit comes amid efforts to deepen strategic regional infrastructure links, including projects connecting South Sudan to Kenya and the wider East African market.
Kiir’s trip to Nairobi is his first visit to Kenya since the dissolution of the transitional government and comes at a critical stage in South Sudan’s preparations for the December elections.
In regional news, a military court in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has sentenced 27 soldiers to death after convicting them of “cowardice” for abandoning front-line positions during fighting with AFC/M23 rebels.
The soldiers were among at least 112 members of the Congolese army’s 21st Simba Battalion put on trial before a military court in Uvira, South Kivu province, from September 15. Prosecutors accused the troops of disobeying orders and withdrawing from positions during clashes with AFC/M23 fighters in August. The soldiers had been deployed to secure strategic areas overlooking Uvira.
According to court documents, 54 other soldiers were sentenced on Friday to five years in prison for violating military instructions, while 10 received six-month prison terms. Another 21 soldiers, including five women, were acquitted because of insufficient evidence.
The ruling comes as fighting continues between Congolese government forces and AFC/M23 fighters in Uvira territory, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire arrangements. Congolese military courts have handed down similar sentences during the conflict. In May, 58 soldiers were sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of violating orders by retreating from front-line positions during clashes with AFC/M23.
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