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Lira University, a public university in Lira city is hunting for sh23b needed to establish its campus at Agwingiri sub-county in Amolatar district.

According to the management, the public varsity needs the money to kick-start the construction of the College of Agriculture and Marine Engineering on a 334-acre piece of land offered by Amolatar district two years ago.

Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum, the deputy vice-chancellor in charge of academic affairs, says the artistic impression for the structures set to be established on the land is out are they have embarked on lobbying for funds.

“The University has also plans to engage a contractor to come out with a master plan for the land before construction starts,” he says.

“We promise to utilise the lands for a good purpose and add value to Amolatar district,” Prof. Okaka says after securing the land title on April 20, 2024. The title was handed over to Okaka by the resident district commissioner, Francis Okello on Friday, April 19.

He added that the university campus will be a training and skilling centre for agricultural activities adding that this campus of Lira University will be a key player in the national development.

“This campus will boost business, and bring money into the Amolatar community as students rent, eat and transact business here,” he said.

He revealed that Amolatar, located at the centre of Uganda, has several beautiful creatures and features with the potential to attract tourists from across the world.

“So Lira University is coming with good intention and zeal of adding value to Amolatar District, no doubt,” Prof. Okaka Opio asserts.

Land studies

The acting director of land management in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Naome Kabanda urged the university to also establish land management courses in the campus as soon as it is established.

She added that because of the lack of land management courses, most of the people managing lands are either lawyers, economists, surveyors or land valuers.

“This kind of institution is going to help Ugandans a lot and I really request that when you are setting up that college, you should also decide to have that school of land management,” she added.

She praised the community of Amolatar for offering the land and prioritising promoting higher education in the area.

“Land is a critical asset and it is important that you donate it to Lira University for opening up its campus here. The project will come with immense benefits to northern Uganda and the rest of the country,” she said.

The resident district commissioner, Francis Okello who represented the lands minister, lauded President Yoweri Museveni and his government for taking seriously and funding higher educational institutions in the country.

The RDC thanked the government for giving Ugandans the right to own land, unlike other countries.

“Today, land belongs to the people, not the government. This comes with great benefits to Ugandans,” he explained.