Kadaga urges gov''t to support private universities

By Bonney Odongo 

THE speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has appealed to government start supporting infrastructural development to credible and charitable private universities to enable them build the required capacities to provide higher education in Uganda.

She said government is aware of the contribution private universities are making in the education sector by providing much needed higher learning to the youth; adding that it would be necessary for government to render them the needed support.

“I will write to the President to make him aware of the infrastructural needs of All Saints University Lango so that government can come in to help, but I want to encourage parents of this area to make good use of this   learning institution by sending their children to study here,” Kadaga said.

She encouraged parents in Lango Sub Region to make good use of All Saints University Lango (ASUL) as it is already registered and recognized by the country’s National Council for Higher Education.

Kadaga noted with concern that the increasing cost of tertiary education which is becoming very high for an average parent to afford has resulted in some parents prioritizing the educate boys and neglecting girl child.

“This situation is more pronounced in Northern Uganda Compared to other regions, where disparity in resource distribution in obvious,” she noted.

A total of 157 students of ASUL were awarded degrees, diploma and certificates in different disciplines during the third graduation ceremony that took place at the University campus in Lira Town on Saturday.

Out of these, 21 were awarded Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management, 20 got degrees in Social Work and Social Administration and 15 degrees in Social Sciences and one person a Bachelors of Primary Education degree.

The rest of the students walked away with diplomas and certificates in Social Works and Social Administration, Procurement and logistics management, theology, Business Administration and Management, Project Planning and Management.

The Bishop of Lango Diocese, John Charles Odurkami who is the Chancellor of ASUL said over 80% of more than 300 students that have graduated from ASUL in the last three years have secured gainful employment.

“This confirms that ASUL is offering quality education that meets market demand and in this regard am also requesting local government to support ASUL in whatever way they can,” Odur said.

Professor Fred Opio Ekong, the vice chancellor ASUL said a major challenge they are facing is the attitude of parents who shun universities within their areas thinking that good education can only be got from Kampala.

“I am disappointed by some parents who still take their children elsewhere where they pay sometimes triple in tuition fees compared to ASUL tuition and incur extra costs in transport and accommodation expenses and risks,” he said.