UGANDA: A GROWING DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY: HOW LIRA UNIVERSITY’S TAKEOVER OF GULU A UNIVERSITY PROJECT SPARKED CONTROVERSY IN THE INSTITUTION’S 21ST YEAR

 

Gulu University has been recognized as one of the best leading public Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa, and top public University in Uganda. This achievement highlights the Institution’s growing academic excellence, strong research output, and commitment to community-focused innovation.

The recognition reflects the dedication of its faculty, students, and administrative leadership, and reinforces Gulu University’s rising influence in regional higher education.

GULU UNIVERSITY-SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2025.

By Okumu Livingstone Langol, Our Correspondent

On Saturday, November 28, 2025. Big celebration of the 21th graduation of Gulu University had unfolded in Gulu City after the silence of guns 20 years ago, a new dawn of life spoke of value as academia looked north again as it was in the 1960s when Acholi was top in Uganda.

Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, the Chancellor of Gulu University applauded the Chairperson, members of the University Council, Members of Senate, distinguished Guests and Grandaunts, ladies and Gentlemen. Remarked that, it’s a great honor and privilege to preside over the 21th Graduation Ceremony of Gulu University.

“Today we came together not to celebrate academic achievement, but also to affirm the growing reputation of this institution as a center of excellence, innovation, and transformation in Uganda and the greater Sub-Saharan African region.”

This year’s graduation holds special significance, Gulu University has been recognized among the best Public Universities in Sub-Saharan Africa and ranked as the top public Universities in Uganda. This is remarkable milestone that speaks to our collective commitment, administrators, faculty, researchers, students, and community partners, to nurturing quality education grounded in our mission of transforming society

Turning to the graduates, argued our graduands, today is your day, you have preserved through academic rigours, personal challenges, and global uncertainties to reach the important moment. You now join a growing community of Gulu University alumni who are making meaningful contributions in agriculture, health, education, business, science, technology, and community development across the country and beyond.

“I salute the five graduates who have earned Doctorate of Philosophy degrees in Agricultural and applied Science, as well as the additional doctorate recipients in other fields, you achievement reflect the University’s strengthening research culture and its vital role in solving real-world problem, especially in agriculture, climate resilience, public health, and rural transformation.”

Let me also extend my heartfelt appreciation to the staff and leadership of the University, your dedication continues to propel Gulu University to new heights. The recognition we have received this year 2025 is a direct result of your tireless efforts to uphold academic integrity, innovate in teaching and research, and ensure that the institution remains deeply connected to the communities it serves.

Adds, as we look toward the future, we must embrace innovation, digital transformation, and partnerships, both local and global. Gulu University is uniquely positioned to lead in areas such as agro-industrial development, environmental sustainability, conflict transformation, and inclusive education. Let us continue to build a University that only imparts knowledge, but also shapes character, inspires creativity, and strengthens Uganda’s development agenda

To the parents, gradians, sponsors, and families; that you for the sacrifices and support that purpose, uphold the values of Gulu University, let your knowledge be used not only for personal advancements, but also for services to your communities and nation.

Congratulations to all of you, may your achievement today be the beginning of even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.

Barrel words overshadow the best Gulu University achievement as Vice Chancellor Prof. George Openyjuru Ladaa open Candra box outlaw of presidential promise meant for Gulu University development questioning why major government commitments to the University remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo.

Mentioned the long-promised Specialized-320 beds hospital, Regional Heart Institute and gazetttment of forest land for University expansion and planned AFCON training stadium, as tempers flare and the guardians and parents made ululations.

“n November 2ed, 2023, the government of Uganda, through Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua and the Minister of State for Sport Peter Ogwang, gave University management a 21 days deadline to complete key tasks required for the long-delayed degazttement process, which has remained unresolved despite a 202 presidential directive.

This was again backed by the Gulu City Special Council Meeting on November 15^th 2023, which unanimously resolved and agreed that the whole of Gulu Central Forest Reserve be de-gazetted to facilitate the expansion and development of Gulu University without any hindrance.” Vice Chancellor Prof. Openyjuru upsurge.

Prof. Openyjuru stressed that the prolong failure to implement these resolutions and directives has caused frustration among University officials and several government ministers, Gulu University did not back down from expressing frustration, as calculating president of his commitment t support the construction of the specialized hospital at Gulu University, wondering that no work has started yet

“Gulu Heart Institute is a project stuck in a silent tug-of-war with Lira University.” When president came here, we put the question t him, and he President Museveni reiterated that is will be developed, he said once committed, always committed, we are struggling over it with Lira, the debate is still going on it should g to Lira and not come here Prof. George Openyjuru Ladaa decried.

Vice Chancellor bag and pleaded t Prime Minister Rubina Nabbanja for the intervention and let the facility, VC also expressed his disappointment f the delayed AFCON 2027 training stadium which supposed to be constructed on the Gulu University sports grounds

VOICE-1: Prof Openjuru sheds more light on the pending pledges by government 

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Norbert Mao, made directive, No. legal impediment, works can begin

The Justice Constitutional Affairs Minister speaking during the graduation ceremony challenges the Government agencies for dragging their feet, saying such uncoordinated moves undermine development, added his voice why purposed gazettement f the forest land needed for Gulu University expansion, why a clear presidential directive has not been executed.

“I don’t know why it is taking so long,” he said. “The President has given directives. The Prime Minister has given directives. As Minister of Justice, I can confirm there is no legal impediment.”

In a dejected mood, and anguish, Norbert Mao warned that should the delays continue, personally mobilized the community to hand over the forest land, especially now that he was seeking mandate to represent Pece-Laroo Gulu City East Division to August House.

Wondering how the specialized regional hospital promised to Gulu University, Ma questioned why the politics has become a dog-fight

“There is no way a directive of the President can be blatantly defied,” he said, adding that failure to act “makes the government look bad and look weak.”

VOICE-2: Minister Mao vows to mobilize the community to degazetted the forest.

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The proposed facility, he argued, would not only serve northern Uganda but also populations in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, making it a strategic investment aligned with Uganda’s Pan-African aspirations.

On the AFCON-related infrastructure, Mao painted a bigger picture of the anticipated benefits: a university training stadium, the upgrade of Pece Stadium and Gulu Airport, and roads linking Gulu to Lira through Aboke. These, he said, are the “fruits” of AFCON 2027 that government officials should be communicating to the public instead of focusing on petty issues.

“Even hospitals have mortuaries,” he joked. “But I’ve never seen a hospital focusing on the mortuary. They focus on patients.”

VOICE-3: Minister Mao explains the  need to have a specialized teaching  hospital at Gulu University 

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Prime Minister: “The process is underway”

Responding to the pressure, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja attempted to reassure leaders and the public that the government was not dragging its feet intentionally.

“The issue of the forest is being handled,” she said. She explained that the cabinet had asked for additional information, which the Ministry of Water and Environment was compiling.

“Very soon… You will hear the good news,” she promised, insisting that due process must be followed.

VOICE-4: Prime Minister Nabbanjja responds to the issue of delayed degazettement of the forest land.

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President Museveni Responds—Cautiously

On July 12, 2023, President Yoweri Museveni directed the Minister of Health to establish a modern, specialised 324-bed hospital at the university; however, no progress has been made to date.

When it came time for the president to address the delays, particularly the specialized hospital, he gave a characteristically measured response.

“If it is a government one, it will be done at the right time,” he said, adding that Uganda has many competing priorities. “I will check with them… but that one, if it’s a government [project], it will be done.”

Though brief, his remarks suggested that the project is still on the government’s agenda, albeit without a clear time frame.

VOICE-5: President Museveni responds to the specialised teaching hospital.

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In additional, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment presented and conferment f the degree of doctorate of Philosophy in Agricultural and Applied Biosciences to Dr. Aliro Tonny measuring impact of controlling African Swine Fever along Pig value Chain in Uganda, Beyihayo Geoffrey Akiki Characterization and Development of selection indices for Genetic improvement of Uganda Indigenous Chickens

Aciro Eunice Also, Assessing Radio Toxicological Risk of Home-made Complementary food formula and caregivers Competency for Mitigation the case f Amuru and Nwoya District, Uganda, and awarded PHD to Akatwetaba Deborah Market strategy and Product Upgrading in the Shea Nut value chain in Northern Uganda

And also awarded PHDtim Jimmy Domestic partnership struggles, the case of Palaro and Gulu City, Northern Uganda.