Newly appointed Central Equatoria State Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Bush Buse, has pledged to promote cultural heritage, empower young people, and strengthen sports development after officially taking the oath of office in Juba on Monday.
Buse was sworn in alongside several newly appointed senior officials of the Revitalized Transitional Government of Central Equatoria State during a ceremony presided over by Emmanuel Adil Anthony.
The appointments follow a recent government reshuffle announced through presidential decrees by Salva Kiir Mayardit, affecting several ministries, commissions, and county leadership positions within the state government.
In a message shared after the ceremony, Buse expressed gratitude to the national leadership and the state government for the confidence placed in him to serve in the ministerial role.
“A heartfelt vote of thanks for the trust bestowed upon me by the President of the Republic and the Governor of Central Equatoria State to serve as the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports,” Buse said.
“This appointment comes at a critical moment when the country is facing numerous political, economic, and social challenges.”
The newly appointed minister said he believes that collective efforts and unity among citizens and leaders can help transform the country’s current challenges into opportunities for progress and national development.
He outlined key priorities for the ministry, including the promotion of cultural traditions, youth empowerment initiatives, and the development of sports across the state.
“Our overarching goal is to promote cultures and traditions, empower the youth, and foster the development of sports,” Buse said.
“We will also put more effort into the commercialization and modernization of traditional wrestling so that it creates opportunities for young athletes while preserving our cultural identity.”
Traditional wrestling remains one of the most popular cultural sporting activities in South Sudan, particularly among communities in Central Equatoria and neighboring states.
Buse said strengthening the sport could help promote unity, cultural pride, and economic opportunities for youth.
Despite assuming a government leadership position, the minister assured residents that he would remain accessible and engaged with the community.
“To my friends, I’m still the same simple Bush. We will continue to sip tea together, and my door will remain open to every citizen,” he said.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Adil urged the newly appointed officials to work collectively to advance peace, stability, and development across the state.
He also appreciated the outgoing officials for their service and called for smooth handovers to ensure continuity in government programs and services.
The governor emphasized that the reshuffle was intended to strengthen governance and improve service delivery to the people of Central Equatoria State.
The newly sworn-in officials are expected to immediately assume their responsibilities as the state government seeks to accelerate youth development, cultural promotion, and sports programs across the region.
