A team from Gulu University pose on site with an artistic impression of the multi-purpose structure to be constructed in Moroto. Photo by Okanokodi EMar P’Tekamoi
By Okanokodi EMar P’Tekamoi
Moroto: Gulu University has officially handed over the construction of a shs39.9bn multi-purpose building for its Constituent College in Moroto to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) trade arm, National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) Works Ltd.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Vice Chancellor Prof. Openjuru George Ladaah expressed his gratitude to President Yoweri Museveni for his wisdom and visionary leadership in fulfilling his pledge to support education in the region.
Prof. Openjuru said the project is the university’s strategic plan to provide a higher and balanced education to students in the Karamoja sub-region.
“Education in Karamoja must succeed. We have pride and confidence in NEC for the quality of work done elsewhere,” Prof. Openjuru said.
He said multi-purpose building, to be constructed along Moroto-Nakapiripirit road, will provide state-of-the-art facilities for students and staff, to enhance the university’s capacity to deliver quality education.
Speaking as the chief guest at the handover ceremony, the deputy RDC of Moroto, Justine Tuko, said all compensations have been completed on the 7,086-acre land that the university occupies at Nadunget in Moroto district, pledging support for the project.
“As political and civil leaders across the sub-region, we pledge total support and cooperation for the success of this project which comes with other benefits,” Tuko said.
Theresa Mary Obbo, the Chairperson of Gulu University Governing Council, stressed that the management shall tap into human resources to further develop the constituent college which will teach education and agriculture among other programs.
Lt. Elias Turinomuhangi, NEC project coordinator promised to deliver quality work and complete the project as planned in two years, with all factors remaining constant.
James Onono, the Gulu University Communication’s officer, said once construction is completed, building will have lecture rooms, offices and laboratories.
Kotido Campus benefits over 3000 teachers
Meanwhile, in Kotido, following the phasing out of Primary Teachers Colleges across the country, the government, in its effort to enable lower-grade teachers to upgrade their educational level to at least a bachelor’s degree, handed over the college to Gulu University, tasking it to target the over 3,000 grade three teachers within the region to upgrade their education level.
Dr. Stephen Odama, in charge of Gulu University’s mature age entry scheme, said the Kotido campus, scheduled to open its doors for the first time in August 2024, was initially meant to offer only a Bachelor’s in Education Primary.
Dr. Odama, however, said due to demand from the people of Karamoja, they have now decided to include a Bachelor of Public Administration and Management to help public servants within the region advance their education, with more courses expected in the coming years.
He said the Bachelor of Education course shall be conducted on a long-distance model, allowing teachers to continue with their duties and only attend campus during holidays, while the Bachelor of Public Administration and Management will be offered only on weekends.
He explained that the university accommodates everyone, which is why they have four admission modes: direct entry, diploma, mature entry, and higher access education certificate scheme.
Gulu University has campuses in Hoima, Kitgum, Moroto, and Kotido, with the main campus located in Gulu City.
Am worried, l applied for special mature age entry exams but am not sure when am going to sit,