VP Abdelbagi in Rumbek for university graduation, service delivery inspection

RUMBEK – The Vice President for Service Cluster, Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, has arrived in Rumbek on Sunday ahead of the second graduation ceremony of Rumbek University of Science and Technology, where he is set to officiate on behalf of President Salva Kiir.

The ceremony is scheduled for Monday at Rumbek Freedom Square in Lakes State. In a statement issued upon arrival, Abdelbagi said he would preside over the event “on behalf of H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Chancellor of all Public Universities,” confirming his role in one of the key academic events in the state’s calendar.

He noted that his trip would go beyond the graduation ceremony, outlining a broader agenda focused on assessing public service delivery.

“Beyond the graduation ceremony, this visit will focus on assessing key service sectors, particularly education and health, to ensure that our people receive the services they deserve,” he said.

The vice president, who is serving his second tenure on appointment terms, travelled by road from Juba to Rumbek, a journey he said allowed his delegation to evaluate infrastructure conditions.

According to him, the road trip “provided us with an opportunity to observe the condition of infrastructure along the way.” Lakes State, like many regions across South Sudan, continues to battle under development compounded by poor infrastructure.

He is accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior government officials, including Adut Salva Kiir Mayardit, identified as Senior Presidential Envoy on Special Programs; Kuyok Abol Kuyok, Minister of General Education and Instruction; Madut Biar Yel, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology; Luke Thomson Thoan, Minister of Health; and Anthony Lino Makana, Minister of Labour, among others.

During his stay, Abdelbagi is expected to inaugurate a newly constructed accommodation facility at the university. He also plans to inspect public institutions, including Kiir Mayardit Hospital and Rumbek Secondary School, as part of efforts to evaluate service delivery.

He said these visits are intended “to evaluate ongoing service delivery and identify areas that require further support.”

The vice president is also scheduled to meet with Maj. Gen. Madhang Majok Meen, the Governor of Lakes State, to discuss challenges affecting service delivery in the state. He noted that the meeting would aim to “review the progress made under the Services Cluster, and outline our priorities moving forward.”

Abdelbagi further disclosed that outcomes from the visit would be formally documented, stating that “the outcomes of this visit will be compiled into a comprehensive report to be submitted to H.E. the President upon my return to Juba.”