29/10/2021
Wau (Arabic: واو Wāw; also known as Wow, Waw, or Wau Town) is a city in northwestern South Sudan, on the western bank of the Jur River, that serves as capital for Western Bahr el Ghazal (and formerly Wau State). It lies approximately 650 kilometres (400 mi) northwest of the capital Juba. A culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse urban center and trading hub, Wau is also the former headquarters of Western Bahr el Ghazal.
Motto(s): Arabic: واو نار
English: (Wau Naar Wau Nuur Wau Mayi Nom)
Wau is Fire, Wau Is Light, Wau Shall Not Sleep
Population (2014 est.): Total 232,910
The population of Wau is ethnically diverse. Most of the inhabitants are Luo and Fertit, as the town lies on the tribal boundary between these two peoples. Furthermore, minorities belonging to the Dinka of Marial Baai, peoples can be found in Wau. Due to its diversity, Wau has repeatedly suffered from ethnic violence.
Wau is a vibrant economic center by the standards of the newly established Republic of South Sudan, and serves as hub for trade between Darfur, Bahr al Ghazal, and Equatoria. The major contributors to the local economy include:
• Buffalo Commercial Bank branch
• Equity Bank (South Sudan) branch
• Ivory Bank branch
• Kenya Commercial Bank (South Sudan) branch
• Catholic University of South Sudan, Wau campus
• University of Bahr El-Ghazal
• Wau Airport
• Wau County Government
• Wau state Government
• RCS - Radio & Satellite Communication
• Wau Stadium - A soccer stadium in the middle of town
There are five (5) main roads out of town:
• B38-North leads directly north to Gogrial, South Sudan
• B43-South leads southeast to Tonj, South Sudan
• A44-South leads directly south to Tumbura, South Sudan
• B41-West leads west to Raga, South Sudan
• B43-North leads northwest to Aweil, South Sudan
Some of the notable people from Wau include:
• Captain Bulus Abushaka - Famous Sudanese soccer goal keeper
• Captain Samuel Illario - El Marikh start
• Thon Maker – NBA basketball player
• Clement Mboro - Veteran politician
• Cardinal Gabriel Zubeir Wako - Retired archbishop of Khartoum archdiocese (Sudan, then including South Sudan)
• Prof Barri Arkanjelo Wanji - veteran Anya Anya /SPLM/A soldier and long serving politician
• Dan Samuel - National Basketball player and veteran construction manager
• Alek Wek - Sudanese-English model
• Joseph Ukel - Veteran politician
• Paulino Wanawila - Veteran law makers
• Luol Deng - Sudanese/South Sudanese basketball player
• Lucia William - Olympian
📸 : Google