By Kidega Livingstone
Kuda University’s administration and board of directors have announced plans to establish a new branch of the university in Nzara County, Western Equatoria State.
The new branch will include a faculty of agriculture, with a focus on animal and plant husbandry.
Speaking during a visit to the University over the weekend, Richard Elia, Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State emphasized the importance of preserving and making proper use of the land by saying, “Without land, there are no lives.”
“We could not believe that the university would come to Nzara County, Western Equatoria State; it’s the land you have given to benefit the communities in terms of education in the area,” he explained.
According to Elia, the board of directors of Kuda University consulted the state government, and the government later talked to the local communities, who unveiled land in the area for establishing the Kuda University campus of agriculture.
The deputy governor stressed the need for unity and trust in home education facilities.
“I am urging all of us not to be confident in foreign education. Let us encourage our education even under trees rather than spending money in foreign countries for education,” he advised.
Elia also encouraged other communities in South Sudan to give land to investors for the benefit of the communities in the area.
“The land given to the university in Nzara County is not enough; anything the university needs will be given for the benefit of the communities of Nzara County,” he stated.
Elia underlined that South Sudan, as a nation, should prioritize land for the young people’s development.
“Without land, there are no lives for you, the young people of the future, and the leaders of tomorrow,” he stated. “Let us know the importance of land; you should know who to give it to because we need its development for our people.”
Namati, an organization based in Kenya, has implemented highly effective strategies for safeguarding communal land.
Their approach begins with actively involving various segments of the community, including youth, women, seasonal users, and renters, which is crucial as it enables communities to make informed and responsible decisions regarding their land.