By Obbo Yusuf
Members of Parliament on the Education Committee have visited Busoga University to assess the progress of renovation works and evaluate the institution’s readiness to commence operations.
The committee, led by Bunya East MP James Kubeketelya, was received by the university taskforce headed by Professor John Tabuti, alongside the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade.
The taskforce briefed MPs on key milestones achieved so far, including the renovation of 13 classroom blocks comprising 64 fully equipped classrooms. They also highlighted the transfer of six land titles totaling 219.8 acres to the government, the creation of a staff structure with 434 positions, and the clearance of inherited liabilities worth Shs15 billion by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
During the meeting, MPs and the taskforce agreed to retain the name Busoga University, rejecting earlier proposals by the Office of the Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committee to rename it to alternatives such as Kiira or Iganga University.
The legislators commended the UPDF for completing the renovation work within a short timeframe. However, Theodore Ssekikubo Sewungu (Hon. Sewungu) urged the government to invest in more modern infrastructure.
“I am happy that UPDF has done its work in the shortest time allocated to them. However, I ask the management committee to draft a budget that will provide better structures, as the current buildings resemble those of primary or secondary schools,” he said.
Committee chairperson Kubeketelya noted that the next step is to push for the formal establishment of the university through a statutory instrument under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act. He emphasized that the process requires Cabinet approval and subsequent submission to Parliament, along with a certificate of financial implication.
With the 11th Parliament nearing the end of its term, Kubeketelya called for expedited action to ensure the university is operational.
Meanwhile, the Central Busoga Diocese Bishop, Rev. Patrick Wakula, commended the government’s efforts and urged Parliament to fast-track the remaining processes. He expressed optimism that the university could open for the August 2026 intake, noting that the people of Busoga are eagerly awaiting its launch, which he described as a major milestone for the region.
