A section of people hailing from the Karamoja Sub-region have welcomed plans to construct a university in Kotido District, referring to it as a pathway to the development of the sub-region.
The Kotido Catholic Diocese has donated 76 acres of land for the construction of the Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU), a brainchild of the Catholic Lawyers ‘ Society International. Mr Emmanuel Ayupo, a resident of Napak District, who holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, and is currently undertaking his master’s degree in climate change at Busitema University, told this newspaper last week that the university would enable the sub-region acquire more educated people and this would spur economic and social growth.
Mr Ayupo called upon the authorities to increase funding for the education sector in the sub-region. He said sciences should be prioritised to enable the sub-region to produce native manpower, such as geologists and chemists, who he said are essential in the exploitation of the vast minerals that Karamoja is endowed with. ‘We need science and math teachers in the existing traditional secondary schools. Since we are talking of a peace and technology university, we must tap students from Karamoja to enrol,’ Mr Ayupo said. ‘This initiative means in the next 10 years, we will be able to have mechanical engineers, doctors, civil engineers, ICT engineers, among others,’ Mr Aupo said. Mr William Lokol, a resident of Moroto District who is pursuing a degree in procurement and logistics at Kyambogo University, said the new university is long-overdue.
He said the sub-region needs a mindset change among the natives. ‘What we see now is that a greater population of children who would be at school are herding livestock, being married off, or they are in the mines, breaking marble stones, or looking for precious stones such as gold,’ he said. Mr Lokol expressed optimism that the new university would spur construction of infrastructure such as roads, better health facilities, among others. ‘In the next three years when the varsity takes root, we should be able to have a tarmac from either Moroto to Kotido or from the Abim side,’ he said.
Former prime minister Amama Mbabazi, who is the head of the fundraising team, said: ‘The government has shown its commitment to bring uniform progress. Education is one of those powerful tools for that transformation.” Mr Mbabazi also said KAPATU would seek to resolve challenges caused by climate change in the sub-region. He said talks are ongoing between the Church and the government on the management of the university.
Mr Kenneth Kaijuka, the chief executive officer of National Housing and Construction Company Ltd, said the university is expected to sit on 20 acres of land, with some of the components being the administration block, senate building, library, research and ICT departments, and accommodation for female and male students, among others. ‘This infrastructure will be ready in this place in three years,’ Mr Kaijuka said.
The university will have the Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Peace and Diplomacy and a School of Law.
Budget allocation
Government, in the financial year 2025/2026, allocated more than Shs180 billion towards the realisation of the much awaited learning institution in Karamoja.
Karamoja Sub-region has a low level of literacy, high level of school dropouts, and insecurity caused by cattle rustling. The 2024 National Population and Housing Census report indicate that 74.2 percent of primary-aged children are out of school.