By William Madouk
Central Equatoria State Butcher’s Union (CESBU) on Friday, November 1, 2024, elected Mr. Angelo Wani Nyombe as the new chairperson.
Delegates from six counties and Wonduruba administrative payam of Central Equatoria State participated in the union’s first-ever election on Friday since its establishment in 1983.
Mr. Nyombe secured 78 votes out of 106, defeating his opponent Paul Ajak Mogga who received 28 votes.
In other key positions, Mr. John Juma was elected as the new secretary-general with 78 votes, while his opponent, Mr. Levi Gory, received 28 votes. Kenyi Lomodiki was elected treasurer, garnering 73 votes compared to Noel Apuk’s 33 votes.
“I do hereby declare Angelo Wani Nyombe as the winner of the CES Butcher’s Union for the position of the chairperson of the Union,” announced Ustaz Justice Walak Thomas, chairperson of the steering committee.
“I do hereby declare John Juma as the winner of CES for the position of Sectary General,” he added. “I do hereby declare Kenyi Lomodiki as the winner of CES Butcher’s Union for the position of finance of the Union.”
Mr. Walak announced that the new leadership of the butcher’s union began on November 1, 2024.
Speaking after the election, Mr. Paul Ajak acknowledged his defeat, stating he would collaborate closely with the newly elected chair.
“I want to say, congratulations. I don’t have any issue – what I really want to see is a democratic process and let no one hold grudges against another – and now I will greet him to show my solidarity,” he said.
“The constitution is now in your hand and if you spoil it that’s your problem – and if he takes us forward, I will be the happiest man and will be first to congratulate him,” Ajak added.
Addressing the delegates, the newly elected chair, Angelo Wani Nyombe, appreciated the butchers for electing him as a chairperson of the butcher’s union.
“I would like to thank the butchers who voted for me and those who didn’t – I want to tell you that we are all one and I will not discriminate,” said Nyombe.
He called on the government and stakeholders to cooperate to regulate meat prices.
“We must cooperate so that we can regulate market price, how we unify meat prices? this is our work. Chamber of Commerce, let us regulate so that the government help us to bring these prices down,” he added.
Mr. Nyombe vowed to clamp down on unscrupulous butchers who feed the public with dead animal’s meat.
“There are still some individuals who transport dead cows in Rickshaw (tricycles) to sell them in the market, this is wrong, we must work together for citizens’ welfare,” he lamented.
“There are still people who slaughter dogs in the town but I am telling you, the new chairperson of the union is here and you must work accordingly,” he continued.
He urged the security apparatus to assist the union to ensure that people only eat standard meat.
The election was officiated by CES deputy Govern Paulino Lukudu Obede and the state minister of Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism.