The Vice Chancellor of Gulu University, Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru, has called upon the people of Karamoja, local leaders, and development stakeholders to strengthen their support towards the establishment and operationalisation of the Gulu University Constituent College of Agriculture in Moroto.
Prof. Openjuru made the appeal while officially opening a two-day retreat on academic programme development held at Strikers Hotel in Moroto from 20th to 21st February 2025.
The retreat brought together university officials and regional stakeholders to deliberate on the academic direction of the proposed Constituent College and identify strategies for advancing its establishment.
Addressing participants, Prof. Openjuru emphasised that meaningful community participation and institutional collaboration are essential to the successful establishment and sustainability of the Constituent College.
He expressed concern about what he described as insufficient community support for the project, particularly regarding the costs associated with acquiring land for university development.
Drawing comparisons with other public universities, including Lira, Muni, Busitema, and Mountains of the Moon, the Vice Chancellor noted that community contributions, especially land donations, had played an important role in supporting institutional development.
He revealed that approximately UGX 6 billion had been spent on land acquisition for the Moroto University Project, resources he indicated could otherwise have supported additional institutional development priorities.
Despite these challenges, Prof. Openjuru reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the success of the institution and encouraged the people of Karamoja to embrace the project as a shared investment in the region’s future.
He also acknowledged the contributions of landowners in Nadunget Sub-County, where construction of the University’s Multi-Purpose Building was underway, alongside the support provided by local leaders, the 3rd Division Commander, and other security agencies.
The Vice Chancellor expressed appreciation to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his 2016 directive to establish a public university in Karamoja under the mentorship of Gulu University.
He appealed to the Ministry of Education and Sports, political leaders, and other stakeholders in the region to intensify efforts to mobilise resources and engage development partners to support the establishment and smooth operation of the Constituent College.
Prof. Openjuru emphasised that adequate financial investment, infrastructure development, and sustained institutional support would be necessary to translate the University’s vision into a fully operational academic institution.
The Chairperson of the Gulu University Constituent College Task Force, Dr. Sidonia Angom Ochieng, acknowledged the challenges that had affected progress since the Presidential directive was issued in 2016.
She identified budgetary constraints and limited resources among the factors contributing to delays in commencing academic operations.
The retreat therefore provided an important platform for reviewing the proposed academic programmes, discussing institutional priorities, and identifying practical approaches to overcoming existing challenges.
Local Leaders Pledge Support for the University Project
The Chief Administrative Officer of Moroto District, Mr. Kassim Kutosi Nasibu, underscored the importance of changing community attitudes towards education as part of efforts to improve educational outcomes across Karamoja.
He emphasised the need for greater awareness and positive community engagement to support the growth of higher education in the sub-region.
Meanwhile, the Moroto District Chairperson, Hon. David Koryang, pledged his support towards the successful establishment of the Constituent College.
He highlighted the institution’s potential contribution to addressing critical regional challenges, including food insecurity, youth unemployment, and limited participation in agriculture as a viable economic activity.
Hon. Koryang expressed optimism that the proposed institution would strengthen agricultural knowledge, practical skills development, and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
While officially closing the retreat on Friday, 21st February 2025, the Moroto Resident District Commissioner, Ms. Jane Frances Amongin Okili, pledged her support for the University Project.
She assured participants of her commitment to raising the concerns highlighted during the retreat with the relevant government authorities to facilitate appropriate consideration and action.
Her remarks reinforced the importance of collaboration between the University, district leadership, and central government in addressing the challenges affecting the establishment of the institution.
The academic programme development retreat marked another important step in shaping the academic direction of the Gulu University Constituent College of Agriculture in Moroto.
Through its proposed focus on agricultural education, research, innovation, and community engagement, the institution aims to contribute to addressing regional development challenges while expanding access to higher education.
The discussions highlighted the shared responsibility of university leadership, government institutions, development partners, and host communities in building a sustainable institution capable of responding to the educational and socioeconomic needs of Karamoja.
The Moroto University Project remains an important initiative in the broader effort to strengthen higher education opportunities and promote agriculture-led transformation in the region.
