Uganda Martyrs University in mega fundraising campaign for Karamoja
“The campaign will be on for one month, during which we intend to raise sh1bn for our brethren who are currently starving,” said Kyamanywa.
L-R: John Bosco Lokolimoi, Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa, Fr. Peter Celestine Safari and Dr. Fred Kasirye Katongole during the launch of the Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Karamoja Relief Campaign at Lubaga Campus on Friday, August 21, 2026. (Photos by Mathias Mazinga)
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Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) has launched a charitable fundraising drive for the drought-stricken Karamoja region.
The campaign was launched by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa, at the university’s affiliate campus at Lubaga on Friday, August 21 (2026). Delivering his remarks during the function, Kyamanywa explained why they decided to initiate the relief campaign.
“We are running this month-long campaign in response to the call by the Catholic Bishops of Uganda for collective action in support of the people of Karamoja. In solidarity with this call, the UMU School of Arts and Social Sciences, together with the University leadership, is mobilising the University's networks and resources to contribute to relief efforts.”
John Bosco Lokolimoi, a lecturer of Mathematics who hails from Karamoja, went emotional as he explained the pathetic situation in the region.
“The situation is really bad. People are eating residue! They need urgent help! Imagine, I planted 10 bags of ground-nuts, but I harvested only a quarter of a bag! That shows you how extreme the situation is!”
L-R: Prof. Patrick Edrin Kyamanywa, Fr. Peter Celestine Safari and Dr. Fred Kasirye Katongole during the launch of the Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Karamoja Relief Campaign at Lubaga Campus on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Rev. Fr. Celestine Safari (from the School of Arts and Social Sciences) said donations were not limited to money.
“We also welcome food aid and material items such as clothes, blankets, and other necessities of life. The material donations can be taken to any of our campuses, including Lubaga, Masaka, Fort Portal, Mbale, Ngeta and the main campus at Nkozi. The monetary contributions may be made through the university’s official account in Centenary Bank, Entebbe Road Branch. The account name is: Uganda Martyrs University. The account number is: 3100015199.”
The Director, University Advancement and Executive Operations at UMU, Dr Fred Kasirye Katongole, also made this passionate appeal: “The challenges facing Karamoja require both immediate relief and sustained attention. Through this campaign, the University seeks not only to mobilise support for affected communities, but also to harness its academic, research and community engagement capacities in contributing to longer-term solutions. The Faculty of Agriculture has embarked on this task as instructed by the Vice Chancellor.”
“Members of the University community, including staff, students through the Uganda Martyrs University Students' Union (UMUSU), and alumni are encouraged to participate and amplify the campaign through their networks. The University also welcomes in-kind contributions and strategic partnerships that can strengthen the relief effort. We call upon all men and women of goodwill to stand with Karamoja. Every contribution, partnership and act of solidarity can make a difference. Together, we can translate compassion into action and service into impact,” said Katongole.