Youth decry delay in operationalization of Bunyoro University

By Kundu Ronald

Youths in Kiryandongo District, western Uganda have decried the delayed operationalization of Bunyoro Public University after very many years of unfulfilled hope.

While attending the annual District youths council on Friday, the youths through their leaders wondered why the university has taken such a long period of time to kick-start operationalization ever since the President’s directive to establish the institution over 10 years ago.

Mr Benjamin Muhumuza, who chaired the youths council noted that President Museveni proposed the construction of the Bunyoro Public University in 2007 but wondered why up to now there is nothing operational put in place.

Bright Ssentambi attending as an ex officio noted that youths have to travel very long distances to access education noting that this is something very costly therefore very many young people lose morale of attending university.

Tumwesige Derrick Collins, the Kigumba Sub County youths councillor observed that youths have to find out whatever is causing hindrance to the presidential directive and solve it since it is costing the future of the youths.

The president had initially directed the construction of Bunyoro Public University at Uganda Cooperative College Kigumba but after some scuffle on the centrality of the university, the 2021/2026 Bunyoro parliamentary caucus agreed on the idea of the collegiate model system where the nucleus will be in Hoima and two branches in greater Kibaale and greater Masindi.

According to the Taskforce Management Committee established to oversee the operationalization of the institution, the Bunyoro University of Earth and Applied Sciences will upon becoming functional have campuses in greater Hoima (main campus), greater Kibaale, and greater Masindi.

It is proposed that the Hoima campus will host Health science, science education, and Petrochemicals, Kibaale Campus will host Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, while greater Masindi will be the centre for Technology and Petroleum Engineering.

It is also planned that Bunyoro University will have different innovation hubs for promoting commercializing and value addition based on natural resources.