Govt finalises plans to take over Busoga University

Government has finalised plans to take over Busoga University, the Iganga LC5 chairman, Patrick Kayemba, has disclosed.

Kayemba said government auditors had by Saturday completed the process of conducting an audit of all the assets of the university for the compensation of its former owner, Central Busoga Diocese.

Plans to take over the university had stalled following disagreements between Central Busoga Diocese and Busoga University Limited over who was entitled to take majority shares in the compensation.

Kayemba who is a member of the committee overseeing the takeover told New Vision that the university will officially start admitting students this academic year in all its branches and at the main campus located in Bulamagi sub-county, Iganga district.

He refuted allegations that the university would be relocated to Kamuli district.

"We have got assurances from President Yoweri Museveni that the university will remain in Iganga unlike rumours spreading around that it is going elsewhere," he said.

Kayemba urged locals to take advantage of the takeover of the university by the government and ensure they enrol their children to pursue courses instead of admitting them in distant institutions of learning.

The central Busoga diocese bishop, Patrick Wakula, said the university had already handed over 100 acres of land, infrastructure and other assets to the government to ensure a smooth takeover.

Wakula said the government was issued instructions to respect the founding body of the university not to construct a mosque on the institution's premises besides other guidelines.

He hailed President Museveni for the support towards improving education standards in the country through the construction of modern learning facilities.