Bunyoro University master plan endorsed

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Local councils in Kikuube and Hoima city have thrown their support behind the Bunyoro University Master Plan, marking a key step forward for the ambitious project.

Their endorsement came after a detailed briefing from Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development officials working alongside the Bunyoro University Taskforce Management Committee (TMC).

Hoima city authorities approved the master plan on November 26, 2025, followed by the Kikuube District Council the next day. The plan, which outlines the university’s proposed facilities and internal road network on the 100-acre campus, was also endorsed by Buhimba Town Council on November 27.

The approved university site is located in Buhimba East cell, Buhimba town council in Kikuube district, approximately 11 kilometres from Hoima city along the Hoima–Fort Portal road.

Prof. Grace Kyomuhendo Bantebya, vice chairperson of the TMC and first deputy vice chancellor in charge of academic affairs, said the plan details the placement of essential infrastructure, including the senate building, academic schools, staff and student accommodation, underground water and power lines, sports facilities and green spaces.

With approvals in place, Bantebya said the plan will now be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Sports, which is expected to begin procuring a contractor to develop the university’s physical facilities.

 

 

Proposed Master Plan of Bunyoro University.

“This also means that the procurement process for things like furniture and equipment will start,” she said.

Buhimba Town Council LC3 chairperson Musa Mugisa said the community is eager for construction to begin and for the university to open.

“As leaders, we are prepared for the university, and we are mobilising to formalise businesses for those who want to provide services. There is already a lot of work taking place around the university block in terms of road construction,” Mugisa said.

The endorsement comes as the government nears completion of works to open and upgrade roads leading to the university site.

Kikuube LC5 chairperson Peter Banura noted that leaders had been briefed on how the university master plan aligns with the wider physical development plan currently being implemented in neighbouring areas.

“The government itself has done the physical development plan of the whole area surrounding the university, and it is underway. And we are looking at a radius of about 5 kilometres. We want to avoid congestion like the one we see around Makerere University. We are trying to avoid it from the word go,” Banura said.

He added that access roads to the site are already about 70 per cent complete.

“The construction of the roads was delayed by the heavy rains and the construction of the bridges along the water streams. In the beginning, these access roads were first-class murram,” Banura said.

On the opportunities created by the Bunyoro University project, Banura said land speculation has already pushed up prices. Land that was previously sold in acres is now being sold in plots.

He added that although some scepticism remains, the ongoing roadworks have encouraged local residents to start constructing buildings in anticipation of future university-related business.

In July this year, the Ministry of Education formally acquired the 100 acres of land for the establishment of the public university in the Bunyoro sub-region. This followed the official handover of the land title to the Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, by Dr Henry Wamani, a former lecturer at Makerere University School of Public Health and donor of the land.

The handover ceremony at State House Nakasero, was witnessed by senior ministry officials, including permanent secretary Kedrace Turyagenda, and members of the Taskforce Management Committee overseeing the university’s establishment.

After the event, Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa, chairperson of the TMC and vice chancellor-designate for the university, remarked: “This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for higher education in the region. We are moving swiftly, and we believe this university will be a transformative institution for not only Bunyoro but for the entire country.”

In the 2025/2026 financial year, the Ministry of Finance allocated over sh5 billion to the Ministry of Education to support, among other priorities, the implementation of Bunyoro and Busoga universities.