Bunyoro MPs demand for public university

EDUCATION

Legislators hailing from Bunyoro sub-region want government to establish Bunyoro University this financial year 2018/2019.

The legislators say the move will help improve and bring education nearer to their people thus heightening their plight to complete university education.

The legislators  argues that lack of a university in the area is hampering education standards, since those who cannot afford the costs of attaining university education in other areas  find it extremely difficult to join universities.

The MPs led by  Bujenje  county  (Masindi district) MP  Patrick  Paddy  Kasumba  under the Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus raised the concern as  a matter of  national importance during the prime ministers question time recently, saying  establishing public universities is Bunyoro's current top priority.

Bunyoro sub-region consists of  Buliisa, Hoima, Kibaale, Kiryandongo, Masindi, Kakumiro, Kagadi and Kikuube districts.

Kasumba said in 2015, due to increased demand for university education Parliament resolved that government would establish universities in  Gulu, Bunyoro, Busoga and Kabale regions, government established the institutions  in three regions leaving out Bunyoro.

Kasumba said "People trek long distances to Kampala, Gulu  and Lira district for university however some are not admitted which demoralises them.

Kasumba said Bunyoro region has plenty of land  and the public is willing  to donate it  for establishment of a public university however government has not responded to their  call.

Kasumba said: "Government should elevate Nyabyeya Forestry College in Masindi district, into a public university, where the college remains a department within the university, or elevate Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba  to university status, while the  Institute remains a department within the university,"

During the debate the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga asked state minister for higher education John Chrysostom Muyingo for an explanation.  Muyingo requested the house to give him some more time  to seek for the rightful response.

When New vision contacted Muyingo on the same issue  he said government is committed to its proposal of establishing the institution.

"Bunyoro region is very big but  plans are underway for construction of public universities and one of the university campuses  will be located  at the Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba in Masindi district," said Muyingo.

 However Muyingo did not say when the construction of the university  will  kick off.

Asked if government allocated funds in 2018/2019 budget, for the Bunyoro University, Muyingo said no money has been allocated this financial year.

" The matter was exhaustively discussed by cabinet recently in the 2018/19 budget, government provided for sh6b start-up of a public university in Busoga and another shs6b for a public university in Tooro region," he said

Muyingo said cabinet discussed that government should take over Mountain of the Moon university in Kabarole  district from private management.

 Muyingo said  the management of Mountains of the Moon University applied to government to take it over and turn it into a public university. The private institution located in Fort Portal, was established in 2005 by a team of eminent people from Tooro region, as a community university.