Speculative and conspiratorial information that is shared as part of a larger trend mostly not based on facts or partially based on a news story or a report that is taken out of context and at times manipulated

Fact-check: This photo is not of Ugandans killed in Juba

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A claim on Twitter that Ugandans were shot dead in Juba for burning charcoal on February 10, 2023, is false and misleading.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida Thomas

A claim by a Twitter user in a tweet on February 10, 2023, that “Ugandans were shot dead in Juba for burning charcoal” is false.

“On 30th January 2023, Ugandans were shot dead in Juba for burning charcoal. The incident comes in a period when thousands of Ugandans have been being killed without both governments taking concern,” the tweet reads in part.

A similar tweet was made by another user here.

Though the tweet received little attention on social media, it makes a highly misleading claim, particularly to audiences who do not follow credible media reports from South Sudan.

Screenshot of the Tweet as shared on 10/02/2023

So, what makes this claim incorrect? Here’s a quick overview:

A Google reverse image search yields the same image that was used on Facebook and Twitter on February 2, 2023. It depicts the bodies of over 20 Kajo-keji residents killed in a cattle-related incident in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State. They were buried in a mass grave in Kajo-Keji.

According to Radio Tamazuj and Eye Radio, the victims were unarmed civilians at Likamerok Boma in Lire Payam, Kajo-keji county. These reports make no mention of Ugandans.

A keyword search for “Ugandans killed in South Sudan 2023” on Google yields no results for any news report about the incident depicted in the tweet’s photo. This year, no Ugandans have been killed in South Sudan.

Conclusion:

The claim that Ugandans were among those killed in a photo shared on Facebook and Twitter on February 2, 2023, is false. The image shows over 20 Kajo-keji residents who were killed in a cattle-related incident in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State, and no credible news reports mention any Ugandans being among the victims.

Fight misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media by not being a victim of fake news. Refrain from sharing content that you are unsure about or don’t know where it comes from to prevent spreading false information. For more information on our fact-checking process, visit https://211check.org/ or send us a WhatsApp message at +211 917 298 255 to present a claim. Our team will fact-check it and respond promptly. #FactsMatter.

Fact-check: Has FIFA security intercepted alcohol disguised as Pepsi cola in Qatar at a stadium’s entrance?

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No, the FIFA security check has not intercepted alcohol deceitfully labelled as Pepsi cola in Qatar at a stadium entrance.

Writer: Ghai Aketch 

After the Qatari government and FIFA revised the policy banning the sale of alcohol in and around the eight stadiums hosting the FIFA World Cup matches, an image claimed to be of a security officer in Qatar peeling labels on cans masked as Pepsi soft drinks emerged online. 

The photo was severally captioned depicting the ongoing FIFA event in Qatar, “Fans smuggling beer into Qatari.” Another one  captioned it,” Current situation in Qatar after FIFA banned alcohol.”

Here is the screenshot

However,  our keywords and image searches confirmed that the image was not taken in Qatar at the onset of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The viral image of a customs officer peeling off the mask wrapped on cans was first published in November 2015 when customs officers at the Al-Batha border between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates stopped a truck smuggling alcohol disguised as soft drinks, according to several news reports.

In 2015, many publications across the world reported more or less the same; Saudi Arabia Seizes 48,000 Cans of Heineken Beer Disguised as Pepsi

As quoted then by the Morocco World News, the Al-Batha border General Manager Abdulrahman al-Mahna was quoted as saying:

“A truck carrying what first seemed to be normal cans of the soft drink Pepsi was stopped, and after the standard process of searching the products, it became clear that the alcoholic beers were covered with Pepsi’s sticker logos.”

But this image has resurfaced and gone viral on social media platforms because of Qatar’s alcohol ban in the stadiums.

Alcohol consumption is strictly controlled in Qatar, with Qatari having to get a permit from the government to buy it from government-controlled distributors.

And so, anyone caught taking it in public or found drunk on the roads is prone to a six months jail term or fine of about $800 US dollars, according to dohaguide.com. 

The Muslim country has, therefore, remained rigid in allowing alcohol sale to thousands of spectators worldwide despite earlier negotiations with Fifa.

Conclusion:

Based on our research, World Cup security officials or the Qatar government have not seized any alcohol labelled as a soft drink in the country following the ban on the sale of alcohol in and around the World Cup stadiums.

Additionally, the image recently trended before the Sunday opening match between Qatar and Ecuador.

This fact check was published by 211 Check with support from Code for Africa’s PesaCheck and the African Fact-Checking Alliance.

Fact-check: Is this the correct site for the US Diversity Visa Program 2024? No, it isn’t  

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The phishing link is intended to collect personal information of unsuspecting people online.

Writer: Ochaya Jackson

A link circulating on the social media platform WhatsApp purporting to be The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, a United States government lottery programme for receiving a US Permanent Resident Card for 2022/2023 is false.

“The U.S.A DV Visa Lottery online Application Form 2022/2023 registration exercise which is the quickest way for all Foreigners interested in immigrating legally to live, Study and work in UNITED STATES. The Resident Card Lottery Program also known as Diversity Immigration Visa Lottery program is a chance for 45,000 people from all over the world to become permanent and legal residents of the UNITED STATES, meaning that they can live. work and study in the U.S.A.  Interested Applicants are to visit the Online Registration Portal. The Winners Will Be Drawn From Random Selection And There Is No Cost To Register”, reads the false message containing malicious link. 

Screenshot of the shared WhatsApp message

When applicants click on the link, they are taken to a one-page website with a form that requests their title, name, phone number, email, address, country, and account password.

Screenshot of the forms applicants are asked to fill

After filling out the above information, one is said to be considered for a chance even without sending the confirmation email listed in the form; instead, applicants are asked to forward the message to more WhatsApp friends or groups.

Screenshot of the prompt after filling the form

When 211 Check investigated the claim link, it discovered that it was not the same as the official US Department of State website for the 2024 Diversity Visa Program.

As part of the legitimate processes for qualifying for the opportunity, the malicious website asks three questions: how well do you speak English, what is your employment status, and what age range do you prefer?

The form for filling out personal information requires password information, which is unusual given that it is not for logging in.

And it tempts users to send the message to fifteen friends or five WhatsApp groups before submitting the application.

Comparison with the Electronic Diversity Visa Program

211 Check compared the information requirements entered into the Electronic Diversity Visa Application Entry System on the US Department of State website to the one trending on WhatsApp and discovered that they do not match. The website’s features, terms, and conditions differ from the official information on the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs.

And the U.S. government warned the public of fraudsters’ operations trying to distort the official program for personal gains, according to a notice of fraud warning published on the Department of State website.

“The Department of State, Office of Visa Services, advises the public of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. While DV applicants may receive an email from the U.S. government reminding them to check their status online through DV Entrant Status Check, they will not receive a notification letter or email informing them that they are a successful DV entrant. Applicants can only find out if they were selected to continue with DV processing by checking their status online through the DV Entrant Status Check,” reads the fraud warning.

“The only official way to apply for the DV program is directly through the official U.S. Department of State website during the specified and limited registration period”, it adds. 

The screenshots of the true Electronic Diversity Visa Application System

Whois Information:

The domain information for the phishing link shows that it was registered on 07 April, 2022. A scam is usually apparent when a site is created around the same time it went viral.

Screenshot of the Whois domain information of the linkin circulating on WhatsApp

Conlusion 

The link doing the rounds on WhatsApp about the United States resident card visa lottery 2022/2023 is false mimicking the official U.S. Department of State’s Diversity Visa Program. It is a phishing scam designed to harvest personal information from people online by fraudsters.

Fact-check: Money impounded from a minister’s wife in Khartoum, Sudan? No, it is an old video

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The video footage is from an unrelated event in December 2021.

Writer: Emmanuel Bida

According to video footage circulating on social media and first published by a Facebook user, the wife of a South Sudanese minister was apprehended at Khartoum International Airport with millions of dollars in UN boxes today. This is false because it is an old video.

The post received over 100 interactions, including more than 50 shares and several comments.

“It is not surprising that the Minister’s wife was caught red-handed officially by Sudan Intelligence Security Agencies traveling from South Sudan with millions of dollars in boxes and has been arrested at the Khartoum International Airport (KIA) in Sudan with about $ 20 million USD in boxes marked UN,” partly reads the post that was re-shared by African press and Juba South Sudan, Facebook pages that are known for sharing false and misleading content recently.

Some social media users also shared the same video with the claim here and here.

Screenshot of the false video footage

The video, however, is quite old. A Facebook search returns versions of the same video from December 2021, claiming that $300 million in smuggled money from Sudan to South Sudan was seized at Juba International Airport. It was also used in connection with an allegation that more than $300 million USD was confiscated at Juba International Airport in December 2021.

Conclusion:

A claim that money was impounded from a minister’s wife in Khartoum, Sudan, is found to be false by 211 Check. The video is from a separate event in December 2021.

Fact-check: No evidence the World Academic Competition exists

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The competition has no digital footprint, and major news outlets haven’t reported it. A rare case of global competition.

By Ochaya Jackson

Social media reports going viral have indicated that South Sudanese Gai Malong Awan has won the “World Academic Competition” which was reportedly held in London. 

According to the certificate of appreciation, Gai Malong was pictured with and posted on social media, the event was allegedly held on September 12th.

“South Sudanese, Mr. Gai Malong Awan wins top position at The World Academic Competition (WAC) in London. Gai scored an average of 94% in all exams. The competition ranked South Sudan in the first position, followed by England, Sweden and USA,” reads the Facebook post seen by 211 Check.

Screenshot of post announcing Gai’s win

However, did this competition even happen, or does it even exist? 211 Check investigated this assertion.

Digital Footprint:

A simple google search returns no result related to The World Academic Compeition. It has no digital footprints both on websites and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Facebook and Twitter searches only return results related to posts of Gai winning the competition.

The email:

When 211 Check wrote to the email [email protected] indicated in the competition’s letterhead, Andy Carrel who manages the email said, “I don’t know anything about these claims or any competition by that name.”

Screenshot of email reply from [email protected] 

The World Academic Competition category is not among the global academic competitions for students 2022-2023. The link is here  

Photos shared with the claim:

The report also included the picture of thousands of spectators claimed to be attendees of the event alongside South Sudanese Gai Malong Awan, but reverse image searches on some of the photos return results of the same photos from different events and not a World Academic Competition. 

Two of the photos was taken during World Scholars Cup by A.B. Paterson College Foundation….without Gai Malong among them. The link is here and here.

Another photo purportedly of panelists during the competition can be found on the website of the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the United Nations.

The Logo:

The WAC logo

The logo used in the claim of World Academic Competition appears to be impersonating the “Seal of the World Scholars Cup Tournament of Champions at Yale University in the United States of America.” The link is here.

Seal of the World Scholars Cup Tournament of Champions at Yale University in the United States of America

Conclusion:


211 Check has looked into a claim that a World Academic Competition (WAC) was held in London on 12 September 2022 and finds it unproven. The competition has no digital footprint, and major news outlets haven’t reported it. A rare case of global competition.

South Sudan’s ambassador to China isn’t suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine complications

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Author: Garang Abraham

South Sudan’s ambassador to China John Andruga Duku is appealing to the public to disregard the trending news that he is suffering from AstraZeneca vaccine related complications after receiving the jab.

According to a Facebook post seen by 211 Check, It’s alleged that Amb. Andruga is admitted at a Nairobi hospital after suffering from complications related to AstraZeneca jab, he took days.

“Oxford AstraZeneca doses need to be investigated for its safety and immunogenicity. See what happens to South Sudan ambassador to China #John Andruga Duku after receiving the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid-19 jab” reads the misleading post shared by some online Alternative Media houses and other Facebook and WhatsApp users.

The below image bears the deceptive post.

Misleading post

However, when fact-checked, the posts were identified as misleading and fabricated content, as explained below.

Facts why the posts are misleading.

Fact No. 1

Ambassador John Andruga who was discharged recently from Nairobi Hospital is suffering from varicose veins, not from jab’s complications as stated.

“I had surgery on both legs due to bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with a statis ulcer. As a result emergency bilateral multiple ligations and stripping of the varicose veins was done.

“Prof Dr.John Adwok referred me to Dr John  K. Karuiki  who acted promptly with Dr J. Gohl  performed successfuly emergency surgery. I am now recovering at home with my family in Nairobi. Due high medical bill, I am discharged to continue medication from home” Amb. Andruga told 211 Check this afternoon.

Fact No. 2

According to Amb. Andruga, he has not received any Covid-19 vaccination.

“I did not get any of the vaccine of Covid-19 up to now. The causes for the swelling on by each leg was explained by the doctors as bilateral varicose veins with multiple incompetent perforations with statis ulcer” Amb. Andruga added.

Fact No. 3 About the sickness he is suffering from

According to pictures seen and narratives received by 211 Check, Andruga’ illness isn’t associated with any Covid-19 vaccine conditions. As he stated in his message, the sickness is purely correct and relevant, according to our online findings from prominent global medical schools and institutions.

According to Wikipedia: Varicose veins, also known as varicoses, are a medical condition in which superficial veins become enlarged and twisted. These veins typically develop in the legs, just under the skin. Varicose veins usually cause few symptoms.

EVIDENCE: You can compare and contrast Wikipedia’s image bearing short details of varicose veins, with pictures bearing Amb. Andruga’s feet taken at Nairobi Hospital. The conditions varicose veins in both images are similar.

Wikipedia’s short details of Varicose veins
Ambassador’s feet due to varicose veins

Ambassador goes mad over information sharing: Amb. John claims that a renowned journalist working in a top government office shared his pictures without consent, lamenting ill-intentions towards him.

“I was surprised who put the pictures, why and how did the person get the pictures which I sent privately to my Minister to inform her despite surgery and swelling of both my legs” said angry Andruga.

Ambassador goes live to address the speculations: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O-gKk9lgatiuX3fjul67kghT1MEZYzdO

#FactsMatter, don’t fall victim to fake news; let’s fight the spread of misinformation on both mainstream and alternative media.

To know about our fact-checking process, check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you immediate feedback.

S. Sudan is the first country to conduct national exams since Covid-19 emerged in Africa, Education Minister makes a false statement

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Author: Emmanuel Bida, AFF-Cohort 1 fellow

On Monday this week, 34,536 candidates across South Sudan began their 2020 Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations – a landmark ceremony that was officiated by President Salva Kiir Mayardiit, who ranged the bell at Juba Day Secondary School situated in the capital Juba.

During the occasion that was attended by various senior government officials including the presidential advisor on national security affairs – Tut Gatluak, the General Education and Instruction Minister – Awut Deng Acuil verbally lied to the public.

Minister Awut confidentially stated that South Sudan was the first country in Africa to conduct national examinations since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, which led to the closure of numerous schools and learning institutions across the continent, in adherence to the World Health Organization Covid-19 preventive measures.

This is what Minister Awut said:

“Your excellency, as time closed for the bell, the Ministry of General Education on behalf of its officials, teachers and students would like to present a small token of appreciation for keeping the education candled on in a very difficult time; time of COVID-19 and economic hardship but you never forgot that education is a priority and for that reason, we are the first country in Africa to conduct our national examination. So we are very happy to present to you this gift on behalf of the teachers and children?”

But when fact checked by 211 Check, it was identified that the Education Minister made a false statement.

In addition, 211 Check team found that some East and West African countries had conducted their national examinations.

As part of know your facts, below are some examples of the countries that conducted their national exams;

In West Africa, the West Africa Examinations Council (WEAC) conducted the West Africa Senior School Certificate of Education exams, which started on 17th of August 2020 and ended on September 12, 2020.

https://www.myschoolgist.com/ng/waec-may-june-timetable-free/

In East Africa – Uganda, the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) Examination started on the 1st March, 2021 and will end on the 6th April 2021.

https://uneb.ac.ug/ple-uce-uace-timetables-for-2020-out/

Background on the closure of schools and learning institutions in South Sudan

Schools and all learning institutions in South Sudan were closed on March 20, 2020 through a Presidential order, as part of preventive measures intended to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Six months later, the Ministry of Education and Instructions announced the reopening of schools for candidate classes only on 5th October 2020.
The Ministry also announced that other classes will resume on 5th April, 2021.


The Certificate of Primary Education Examinations in South Sudan started on 15th February and ended on 19th February this year.

Usually, primary examinations are conducted in November, while secondary schools exams are conducted in December of every year. However, due to delays linked COVID-19 crisis, the schedules were interrupted.

NOTE: South Sudan isn’t the first “AFRICAN COUNTRY” to conduct national examinations since the onset of the Covid-19.

Beware of CLAIMS AND FALSE STATEMENTS made by politicians, for they can make you a victim or an agent of mis/disinformation.

To know about our fact-checking process, click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

Warrap State governor bodyguards are all live, he wasn’t attacked

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Warrap State governor didn’t fall into an ambush, all his bodyguards are alive, his Press Office has confirmed.  

Gen. Aleu Ayieng, the recently appointed governor of Warrap State in the unity government was not attacked and none of his bodyguards is dead, according to Albino Kuek – the governor’s Press Secretary.  

Kuek told 211 Check that the governor is on a State tour mission aimed at creating trust and peaceful co-existence among communities of Warrap and its neighbors.  

But the Facebook post which is now deleted by the poster, though it was screenshot by 211 team alleged that the governor fell into an ambush along Tonj South County road – an incident the poster claimed left 6 of his bodyguards killed.

“Aleu Ayieng, the governor of Warrap State is reported to have escaped an ambush on his way to Tonj South County, the attackers have claimed lives of 6 bodyguards when they attempted to exchange fire with armed youth, Emmanuel Monychol Akop and other reliable sources on ground have claimed” reads the Facebook post which is now deleted.

However, the link Facebook post still exist, and the screenshot can be seen below – https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2889732944643893&id=100008216473945&sfnsn=mo

Alleged post regarding the governor’s attack

The report also claimed that the development was confirmed by The Dawn Daily Newspaper Editor in Chief – Emmanuel Monychol Akop who is currently in Warrap State.

But when contacted by 211, Emmanuel Monychol said he didn’t share any information of that sort, stating that the news was misleading, “the move was designed as an attempt to spoil my public image”.

In a press statement issued by Albino Kuek Deng, Warrap State Governor’s Press Secretary seen by 211, he described the news as misleading information professed by anti-peace elements who want to cause confusion among the peace loving citizens of Warrap State.

“The Governor [Aleu Ayieny] is currently conducting rallies, disseminating peace messages. He is in Rualbat Payam of Tonj North County and will proceed to Kirrik Payam thereafter. The place is calm for the past two days the Governor has been here,” Albino said in a statement.

To know about our fact-checking process,  click the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim, our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.

A misleading Image!

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211 Check, reverse image searched the alleged picture of Tore Payam, Yei River County that was posted by a South Sudanese and was later reposted by media houses like Hot in Juba.

According to Yandex, Tineye, Google Images and other online fact-checking engines, the picture’s origin is from Equatorial Guinea. Below is the link to the result search, https:/statemag.state.gov/2020/03/0320pom-2/

211 Check wrote to “Hot in Juba management” and they agreed to remove the post – a great professional move. Cheers!

Note: to avoid spreading false information, don’t rush into sharing content that you aren’t sure of or you don’t know its origin.

The post was fact-checked by Emmanuel Bida, AFF-South Sudan Program fellow.

To know about our fact-checking process check the link below, https://211check.org/how-to-fact-check/ or contact us via 211check.org to present a claim – our team will immediately fact-check it and send you an immediate feedback.