By By Silaje Akutetenkereza
President Museveni has advised universities to teach courses that are relevant for creation of jobs especially in the private sector.
“The problem of unemployment among the young graduates can be easily solved if all the Institutions of Higher Learning teach relevant courses that satisfy the job market in the private sector. The public sector has only 469,216 jobs. This is absolutely incomparable, in relation to a population of 45 million Ugandans”, remarked President Museveni, at Lira University 4th graduation ceremony.
He stated that graduates must seek employment in the private sector, where more opportunities are.
In a speech read for him by Vice President Jessica Alupo, the President said Unlike the past regimes which suffocated the private sector, thereby undermining its capacity to create jobs, the NRM had created a favorable environment to attract local and foreign investments.
Lira University which started as an affiliate to Gulu University only a few years ago, has grown in leaps, contributing to the success story in Uganda’s development across various sectors.
The President congratulated the graduands and thanked the leadership of Lira University, the parents, teaching and non-teaching staff and students, saying the graduation was a manifestation and display of the dedication and strong-will in the pursuit for learning and academic excellence.
He thanked the leadership of Lira University for staying on course to deliver on the vision of being a Centre for Applied Science and Technology in Uganda.
The NRM Government, said the President, remains committed to the promotion of science and technology as a major lever to development and sustainability of our economy, adding that he was optimistic that the graduands from Lira University will form a formidable workforce. “This will spur Uganda’s industrialisation and technological advancement”, he added.
He commended the University for teaching relevant academic courses and for equipping students with skills that give them a better standing in the job market.
“This is the only way Government and parents will gain value from the enormous investment in our children’s education”, said the President.
In his characteristic style, the President referred to Government’s investment in infrastructure such as enough electricity, good roads, peace etc., as a bedrock of prioritization in industrialization to cut down the hemorrhage caused by the excessive importation.
“When we import these items, we donate both money and jobs to foreigners leaving our own children unemployed. More industries in Uganda means more jobs for the population and taxes to the government to carry out development projects”, he added.
He urged the students to br responsive to the rapidly changing global economy which is mainly driven by science and technology. The University has invested in ICT, as envisaged in their vision _”A Beacon Centre of Applied Sciences and Technology_”
Playing the parental role, the President I urged the graduands to refrain from reckless and dangerous lifestyles such as drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, extravagant spending, quoting from the Bible Luke 12:48: “to whom much is given, much is required”
In her brief remarks before, the Vice President said she had taken note of the various issues raised, like more resources for expansions, recruitment of staff, technical issues for the teaching hospital among others.
She thanked the cultural leader Won Nyaci for his interest in establishing the University, recounting His Highness’ preference for its establishment as an Independent University. At the time, Lira University was an affiliate college to Gulu University.
“Indeed, the President established the University as a public University amidst all the challenges. I thank the Vice Chancellor who has been absorbing all the challenges” as she congratulated the people of Lango and Acholi for their peaceful co-existence.
Further, the VP remarked, Government had initiated a number of successful programs, seeing most of them to fruition. Therefore, the Vice President appealed, “support President Museveni’s election bid in 2026”.
Hon. John Muyingo,Minister of State for Higher Education who was representing the first lady and Minister of Education welcomed the Vice President to what he called “her baby”, reminiscing of her dedication to the University since its inception, when she served as Education Minister.
In her remarks, Hon Janet Museveni said the graduation was a time to reflect on the past, present and the future as the graduands transition into the world of work.
She appealed to them to use the numerous opportunities to create jobs and also further their studies since learning is a life time commitment.
She lauded the University on the growth while appealing for more investment in research and publication saying it’s one way of contributing to the transformation of the country. “Any academician who doesn’t contribute to academic research is doomed”, the Minister said. She also appealed for increased partnerships, especially among staff. “Embrace emerging trends, develop emotional intelligence, embrace regional integration, avoid discrimination amongst students, especially among regional students”, the Minister remarked as she congratulated the graduands for being committed to their studies.
The Minister of Health, also area Woman MP Jane Ruth Aceng thanked the University for committing to develop the country through the different courses. “I’m looking forward to the launch of the medical school”, further tasking the council that this should be done this year. To the graduands, she challenged them to use their power to create jobs.
The Chancellor, Hon Justice Dr. Benjamin Joses Odoki, now serving his 4th year said Higher Education is one way in which a country can transform and change.
He congratulated the Vice President upon both achievements- being appointed -as VP, and, as a dependable friend of the University. “You must be proud to watch a University started under your watch, grow to this extent”. Odoki said.
He thanked the Education Minister Janet Museveni for her “love for Education” and thanked Government for giving me him an opportunity to serve the country again, in a different capacity.
He congratulated the Vice chancellor for embracing e-learning, saying “we in the legal profession are also embracing e-justice, and e-filing. This new and interesting innovation should continue because it is a thing of the future”.
Odoki thanked was grateful for the teaching hospital, something he said, had become a model for other teaching hospitals elsewhere. Today, he said, the University continues to attract high quality teaching staff, inspite of the fact that there are low numbers of staffing. “This could have a negative effect,” he said.
He appealed for a higher support for the innovation fund so that the University could grow its innovation and support to ICT in Uganda, and for more funds for expansion and building of a modern library.
The Vice Chancellor Prof Jasper Waston Ogwal-Okeng paid special recognition to the President for the interest he has shown in the progress of the University, and to the first lady who doubles as Minister of Education for the support in various ways especially for the provision of computers that strengthened the open and distance learning program. The Vice Chancellor was happy to note that Government continues to avail opportunities to students especially those on Government sponsorship. “They have acquired knowledge and skills that are useful to them and the country. Majority undertook the training on private sponsorship with the Government sponsoring the majority in science programs” said the VC.
Addressing the VP, the Vice Chancellor said “Your Excellency, while you were Minister of Education, you left us at one faculty, but we have six now, which represents a
10% increase; evidence that we are growing at a steady pace where we are able to balance student enrollment with the available resources.”
The University, he added used the covid 19 pandemic to strengthen the open and distance learning program with availability of new technology, after the National Council for Higher Education approved their curriculum. “We are teaching many students at the same time without worrying about the four walls”, he remarked.
He thanked Government for the teaching hospital, which he said is run wholly by the University. “We appreciate Government of Uganda for constructing this teaching hospital. it is already supporting the teaching of nurses/midwives, public health and community psychology and psychotherapy classes.
Among the achievements registered is the new block which has been completed and is being equipped to run courses in Medical Sciences and Education which will commence next academic year. Other achievements listed out were continued development of Research, Publications and Innovations, Acquisition of land for faculty of Agriculture and Aquatic Engineering.
In a moment of reflection, psychology and psychotherapy for the first covid case in Uganda was handled by the students of Lira University”, as he emphasized the competitiveness of that particular course.
The Vice Chancellor also said they are establishing special clinics with the initial one handling breast cancer. “We have already trained other specialists for different fields like cancer, urology and others”.
He paid gratitude to the people of lango for the donation of 621 acres of land, upon which the University is established.
Present at the ceremony were district leaders, MPs, partners of the University and representatives from other universities.
