HOIMA RCC- Government will Build Bunyoro University, don’t be aggressive

HOIMA CITY- UGANDA ; Hoima Resident City Commissioner Mr. Mugabi Badru has advised the community of Bunyoro  sub region  to be clam as they seek for the establishment of Bunyoro University. 

In an interview, the Presidential aide said violence is not an answer to development. 

His message came following an action by some residents to plant a symbolic sign post at Bulere PTC in protest of the  delayed process.  

Recently some activists from Kagabaije pressure group planted a symbolic sign post of Bunyoro University at Bulere Cell, Hoima City East Division to express their grievances and show goverment that there is an avaiable land for the development. 

During 2010, 2016, and 2021 Presidential Campaigns, H.E President Museveni reportedly pledged to establish a public University in Bunyoro sub region, but Residents are so frustrated by the delay in fulfillment of the pledge. They alleged the process has taken long without positive developemt. 

Ali Babi, a resident of Hoima city accused some of their local leaders of frastrating the process.

He also equally attributed the delay to lack of unity among their  local leaders in the region. ‘’ there has been a lot of political games silently played in this process by our leaders about the location, if we don’t take an action, we may end up losing the development.  

The aggrieved resident further explained that their move was to inform H.E President Museveni and other government officials that they already have a free land at Bulera Core PTC for the developement.

“A lot of valuable things have not been utilized by people of Bunyoro due to our confusion and we never wanted people to lie President Museveni that we don’t have land for the University. We no longer need your rubbish; we no longer want further discussions on the University here is the land” Babi said.

Mr. Babi added, they are ready to embrace the University because it will improve and provide study opportunity for their children. 

However, RCC Hoima, Mr. Badru informed residents that their issue will be handled by Ministry of Education and Sports.  He asked them to be calm as they wait for the  process to be  handled. 

''Don't be aggressive on the isssue of Unversity because the Ministry of Education and Sports is handling now, Govement will build a university here in Bunyoro ''. He said

There has been an onging  debate on its location,  However, on the  17^th/1/2024, the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja met with members of Bunyoro Parliamentary group togehter with  Bunyoro University taskforce committee at her office in Kampala to address the issue. In the meeting, she reportedly blamed the University Taskforce for the delay to operationalize the University adding that the project is a thorn in throat of all leaders in the region.

In his response, the Minister for Finance, planning and Economic development Matia Kasaija emphasized that the University headquarters should be located at Bulera Core PTC because of its centrality and the already existing structures which was supported by various MPs.

Additionally, the Prime Minister also  gave Bunyoro University taskforce a duration  of 2 weeks to have all pending issues of location and submission of academic programs  to the National Council of Higher Education to have the university coded. 

Before the elapsing of the two weeks’ ultimatum, some concerned Bunyoro citizens from Hoima City on Monday decided to plant a sign post of Bunyoro University Main Campus on the suggested area saying they no longer want to hear any confusion on where to construct it saying, it’s one way of expressing their acceptance to the government.

Speaking to NRM cadre, Mr. Kirungi Anderea said this was awake up call for Banyoro people to realize that the need for the University has nothing to do with political parties thus urging all people to join the move for the construction of the University saying everyone will directly or indirectly benefit from the institution.