Lira University opens in August

By Patrick Okino

The constituent college of Gulu university in Lira is due to kick off in August with a total of 100 pioneer students admitted on government sponsorship.

The university situated five km away from Lira town is in over 500 acre of land at former Bala Stock farm IDP camp in Lira Sub County. It is starting with students doing bachelor of midwifery, nursing and environmental science.

Launching the construction of midwifery block worth sh1.1b at the campus on Thursday, professor Jasper Ogwal Okeng, the chairperson Task Force for the opening of the college said lecture rooms, administration block and library are in place.

He said curricula for bachelor of civil engineering, electrical, mechanical and biomedical engineering is in final stages of submission to national council of higher education for accreditation.

The task force committee was appointed by Gulu University council after Lango leaders requested the government to consider giving the region a higher institution of learning. The request was presented to President Yoweri Museveni five years ago.

Ogwal said they are also admitting private students and the admission of senior six leavers in ending on 15 June 2012.

“The districts in the sub region should consider extending Peace, Recovery and Development Plan, Northern Uganda Social Action Fund II and Rural Electrification project to the college,” Ogwal said in a function officiated by Dokolo LC5 John Baptist Okello Okello.

Okello said the Lango sub region has been lagged behind interm of higher institution of learning and that there is need for the leaders to support the college.

“I foresee a great development for the community because the university will have multiply effect on the people,” Okello said.

He suggested that courses on entrepreneurship skills should also be introduced to help youth venture into business after studies.