Rt. Hon. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda’s former Prime Minister and Chancellor of Gulu University, has commended the University Council and Management for their commitment to expanding access to higher education in the Karamoja region through the establishment of the Gulu University Constituent College of Agriculture in Moroto.
The Chancellor made the remarks during a guided tour of the construction site for the Multi-Purpose Building at Nadunget Sub-County, Moroto District, on 27th October 2025. The visit provided an opportunity to assess progress on the development of the institution, which is expected to play a significant role in advancing agricultural education, research, and socioeconomic transformation in Karamoja.
Dr. Rugunda expressed satisfaction with the progress made towards establishing the Constituent College, noting that the developments were encouraging as preparations continued for the anticipated commencement of academic programmes in the following academic year.
He applauded the University Council and Management for implementing President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s 2016 directive to establish a university specialising in agriculture in Karamoja. He also expressed appreciation to the President and the Government of Uganda for their commitment to ensuring that the region benefits from national development initiatives.
The Chairperson of Gulu University Council, Mrs. Theresa Mary Obbo, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to working closely with communities and stakeholders across Karamoja to ensure the successful establishment of the institution.
She emphasised the importance of continued collaboration and community participation in translating the vision of the Moroto University Project into reality.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Sidonia Angom Ochieng, Chairperson of the Moroto University Taskforce, highlighted the positive impact the project was already having on surrounding communities.
She explained that compensation provided to project-affected persons who surrendered land for the development had contributed to improvements in local livelihoods and stimulated development around Nadunget.
“When the University starts, we shall not forget the community of Nadunget,” Dr. Ochieng remarked, underscoring the institution’s commitment to maintaining strong relationships with its host community.
The Vice Chancellor of Gulu University, Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru, highlighted the University’s experience in supporting the establishment and development of higher education institutions across northern and eastern Uganda.
He cited Gulu University’s contribution to the development of Lira University and its involvement in supporting Muni, Soroti, and Busitema universities as evidence of its institutional capacity and commitment to expanding higher education opportunities.
Prof. Openjuru expressed confidence that the ongoing developments would eventually lead to the establishment of Moroto University.
He further appealed to the Chancellor to continue advocating for the project and mobilising the necessary support to facilitate its timely completion.
A major component of the development is the UGX 39 billion Multi-Purpose Building, currently under construction at the proposed university site in Nadunget Sub-County.
The facility is designed to accommodate lecture rooms, laboratories, and administrative offices, providing essential infrastructure for the commencement of academic operations at the Constituent College of Agriculture.
Construction is being undertaken by the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), the commercial arm of Uganda’s Ministry of Defence.
Once completed and equipped, the facility is expected to provide an important foundation for teaching, learning, research, and institutional administration.
The establishment of the Gulu University Constituent College of Agriculture represents an important step towards expanding access to university education and strengthening agricultural development in Karamoja.
Through investments in academic infrastructure, community partnerships, and agricultural education, the Moroto University Project seeks to contribute to skills development, innovation, sustainable livelihoods, and the long-term socioeconomic transformation of the region.
The Chancellor’s visit reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration among government, university leadership, development stakeholders, and local communities in advancing the institution’s establishment.
