Construction of Bunyoro University to start soon

What the report says

Construction of Bunyoro University is set to begin soon after the approval of architectural designs, according to Uganda’s Minister of State for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang. The reported first phase will be handled by the UPDF Engineering Brigade once final arrangements are completed, including a memorandum of understanding between the government and the military engineering unit.

Watchdog Uganda reported that the government has allocated Shs4 billion in the current financial year to begin work on a multipurpose building. Ogwang said this money will be used to launch the project while additional funding is mobilised. He also noted that the first phase of infrastructure development will require Shs177.5 billion in total, leaving a large financing gap that the Ministry of Finance is being engaged to help address.

The announcement followed a motion in Parliament by Hoima City Woman Representative Asinansi Nyakato, who has urged the establishment of the public university. She argued that Bunyoro has long lacked a government university despite repeated promises. Other lawmakers also backed the plan, saying the institution would improve access to higher education, support training linked to the oil and gas sector, and create jobs.

The project is significant because Bunyoro is an oil-producing region with 13 districts but no public university, making the proposed institution a key issue of regional equity and development.