Louis Lobong, Governor of Eastern Equatoria State – Photo Courtesy of the Office of the President

TORIT, Eastern Equatoria (Eye Radio) – The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore has announced that the former United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound in Torit will be officially handed over to the Torit University of Science and Technology.

The announcement was made during Christmas Day celebrations in the state capital on Thursday. The Governor confirmed that the deserted base, vacated following the gradual drawdown of UN peacekeeping forces, will now serve as the permanent site for the university.

Governor Lobong highlighted that repurposing the facility will remove major barriers for local scholars, ensuring that higher education is more accessible and affordable for those within the state.

“Students will no longer have to travel long distances to Juba or neighboring countries to pursue their studies,” the Governor stated, emphasizing the convenience the new campus will provide.

Addressing the transition of the property, Governor Lobong acknowledged that while the site suffered from theft and vandalism following the UN’s departure, the state is focused on the future.

“UNMISS has closed their base here, and they have left,” Lobong said. “I know that place suffered theft… but we thank God they left, and our land is still there. So, in that place, we are going to open Torit University.”