Artistic impression of the senate building once completed. Photos by Phillips Kica
Phillips Kica
Gulu: Gulu University Management Team has handed over the construction site for the Senate Building to the National Enterprise Corporation, (NEC) the Uganda People’s Defense Force’s commercial wing.
The handover was done by Santos Apire Richard, the Deputy Council Chairperson of the University, and Prof. Openjuru George Ladaah, the vice chancellor at Gulu University’s playground.
Obol David Otori, the University Secretary, said the construction of the Senate Building with funding from the government, is expected to cost shs30b.
The building will have offices of the Academic Registrar, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Affairs, Directorate of Quality Assurance, Directorate of Gender Mainstreaming, Gulu University Community Engagement, and Senate boardrooms, among others.
Otori said the building meets all of Uganda’s building regulations, and includes ramps to ease access for those with impairments.
Prof. Openjuru George Ladaah, the Vice-Chancellor of Gulu University, stated that the Senate has a large task to keep student records, develop and review curriculum at the university, and manage students’ applications up to graduation, all of which require a good facility, and the building in question is the absolute answer.
Openjuru also urged Gulu City authorities, who were present at the brief ceremony, to ensure there is sufficient lighting and repair Paul Opok Road which is in a poor state, to allow direct access to the Senate building.
James Onono Ojok, the communication officer at Gulu University said that the University is doing its best to improve infrastructure development and attract more students.
‘’We hope this will contribute definitely to making Gulu University greater and sending out a much better phase of the university that will in turn meet the expectations of every society member,” Onono stated.
Otim Geoffrey, Mayor of Pece-Laroo Division, where the University is located, expressed his satisfaction that Gulu University is now focusing on growth within the city since he previously envisaged the university moving outside of Gulu City.
Otim informed the Vice-Chancellor of the city’s commitment to supporting the university’s growth and promised that the Laroo-Pece division authority would grade the road, despite revealing a long-term plan to asphalt Paul Opok Road.
Adong Caroline, Gulu City’s Secretary of Finance, who represented the City Mayor, urged NEC authorities to ensure that locals are hired as casual workers as a source of inspiration for those living near the university.
Oswin Sabastian Oguti, deputy dean of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in Uganda, and Deputy RDC Lamwo praised the Ugandan government for supporting Gulu University and requested the contractor to give the RDCS in the region schedules to monitor the project continuously.
Oguti also commended the management of Gulu University, led by Prof. Openjuru George Ladaah, for their persistent efforts to ensure the university’s growth.
Mary Theresa Obbo, Chairperson Council, in a message read by Rwot Santos Apire Richard, urged NEC to maintain high standards as they have always done, so that the university’s infrastructural environment can reach the heights it deserves.
Barebente Pascal, the project manager of NEC, said the construction would be completed within three years.