Govt takes over Busoga University

The Government through the Ministry of Education and Sports has taken over Busoga University with immediate effect after the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding.

The signing was witnessed by a delegation from Busoga Diocese, registered trustees of the Church and officials from the education ministry on Wednesday.

The purpose of the MOU was to facilitate the withdrawal of the constitutional court case between Busoga University vs the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and the Attorney General.

The signing was witnessed by a delegation from Busoga Diocese, registered trustees of the Church and officials from the education ministry on Wednesday. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Since 2017, the institution has been battling with several cases in court with NCHE on operating illegally among others leading to massive debts and losses.

With the memorandum in place, the government has committed itself to paying all the debts and all the cases have been withdrawn. The government will take over all the verified liabilities of the university, which was formerly private and founded in 1999.

On January 8, 2018, President Yoweri Museveni appointed a committee of eleven people with a broad mandate and the ultimate goal of taking over the university.

Ant-clockwise:John Bosco Suuza from Attorney General's office, State Minister for Primary Education Moriku Kaducu, Minister of State for higher Education JC Muyingo, Rt.Hon. Rebecca Kadaga and Archbishop Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

The state minister for Higher Education Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo said the government has a plan of establishing a public university in all 18 regions of Uganda to spur social-economic development through equipping Ugandans with necessary employable skills.

“I thank the Attorney General and his team for the continuous guidance in the development and finalization of the whole process. I also express my gratitude to the presidential committee on the gov’t takeover of Busoga University a lot still needs to be done and I hope everyone continues the task with the same enthusiasm,” the minister added.

Archbishop Kaziimba Mugalu interacting with Rt.Hon.Rebecca Kadaga. (Photo by Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Muyingo said he can now go to parliament with confidence and demand for funds to develop the facility and within a short time, the ministry will be putting in place a task force to look into the nitty-gritty of operationalization of Busoga University as a public institution.

Busoga University will officially commence in July this year as a public institution.

Rt.Rev.Nathan Ahimbisibwe, Chairperson, Provincial Board of Education (left), His Grace Dr.Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, Archbishop of Church of Uganda and Rt.Hon.Rebecca Kadaga, appending their signitures on a memorandum of agreement (MOA)

The First Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, also a founder member of Busoga University, applauded the Late Rt. Rev. Cyprian Bamwoze, the former Bishop of Busoga Diocese who had the original concept, and the responsibility to start a university in Busoga.

“It is a very happy day for Busoga, Eastern region and Uganda at large because taking over this facility will have a positive effect. I think you have seen the growth of Mbarara and Gulu cities. Therefore, I call upon the people of Iganga to invest in real estate with more services since children and lecturers will have to look for shelter and food; I assure you our university is in the right hands,” Kadaga noted.

The Archbishop of Uganda, Rt. Rev. Dr Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu, lauded the government for rescuing the university.

“This is the time. Busoga University will rise again with the support of the President and Ministry of Education,” he said.