Draft:Akway Medho Akway Cham
South Sudanese king and public health academic
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Akway Medho Akway Cham (born 15 February 1970), also known as Nyeya Akway wor-Ngel or simply Akway Cham, is a South Sudanese academic, public health professional, and traditional ruler. He has served as the King of the Anyuak (Anywaa) people since his enthronement on 25 November 2024.[1] Prior to becoming king, he was a professor and Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Juba.
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February 15, 1970
Tier-Thor-Nyubok, Akobo, South Sudan
| Akway Medho Akway Cham | |
|---|---|
| King of the Anyuak | |
| King of the Anyuak people | |
| Reign | 25 November 2024 – present |
| Coronation | 25 November 2024 |
| Born | Akway Medho Akway Cham February 15, 1970 Tier-Thor-Nyubok, Akobo, South Sudan |
| Spouse | Akelo Kidi Agwa |
| Issue | Ariet Akway Medho, Bangre Akway Medho, Cham Akway Medho, Dijella Akway Medho |
| House | Nyiodolla Royal Dynasty |
| Father | Medho-wor-Adiw |
| Mother | Ngel Omot Omot Doly |
Early life and education
Akway Cham was born in Tier-Thor-Nyubok, a village near Akobo along the South Sudan–Ethiopia border. He belongs to the Nyiodolla Royal Dynasty of the Anyuak people. His father, Medho-wor-Adiw, was a king in the Akobo region during the Anglo-Egyptian colonial period until his death in 1976. His mother, Ngel Omot Omot Doly, is referenced in his regnal name Akway wor-Ngel, following Anyuak naming traditions.
He is often referred to as Akway Cham III to distinguish him from his grandfather, Akway Cham I, and his cousin Akway Agada Akway Cham, the king of the Adongo/Otallo region.[2]
His grandfather, Akway Cham I, is noted for defeating a British expeditionary force during the 1912 Battle of Adhith/Jom.[3]
Akway Cham spent his early years in pastoral life, tending cattle, before beginning formal education in Akobo in 1978. He later continued his studies in Gambella and Dembi Dollo, Ethiopia, attending Bethel Evangelical Secondary School.
In 1991, he enrolled at Addis Ababa University but left after one year and moved to Nairobi, Kenya. He later received a scholarship to study in the United States, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science from St. Cloud State University (1997–2001), a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota (2003–2005), and a PhD in Public Health/Epidemiology from Walden University (2008–2013).[4]
Career in public health and academia
Following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Akway Cham returned to South Sudan in 2006 as part of a U.S.-supported initiative to rebuild the health sector. From 2011 to 2014, he served as Director of Primary Health Care at the Jonglei State Ministry of Health.
In 2014, he joined the University of Juba, where he became a professor and co-founder of the School of Public Health. He later served as Dean of the School of Public Health until his enthronement.[1]
He has also held academic roles including Visiting Senior Lecturer at Gulu University in Uganda (2016) and Associate Professor at the South University of Medicine Science and Technology in Juba. Additionally, he has served as an adjunct professor at Upper Nile University.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as General Secretary of the Medical Advisory Panel, advising the National Task Force on response strategies.
His consultancy and research roles include:
- Member of the East Africa Health Research Commission Technical Scientific Committee (2023)
- National Consultant for HIV and TB program review (2022)
- Research Scientist on SARS and COVID-19 (2021)
- National Facilitator for regional STI studies (2019–2020)
He has authored and co-authored several research publications on public health issues.[5][6][7]
Reign
Akway Cham was crowned King of the Anyuak people on 25 November 2024, taking the regnal name Akway wor-Ngel. His enthronement represents a combination of traditional leadership and modern academic expertise. As king, he plays a role in cultural leadership and advocacy for the Anyuak people across South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Personal life
Akway Cham married Akelo Kidi Agwa in 1995. They have three children: Ariet Akway Medho, Bangre Akway Medho, and Cham Akway Medho. He also has a daughter, Dijella Akway Medho, from a previous relationship.
He is known for his interest in reading and maintains an active lifestyle that includes regular exercise.