The government has cleared architectural designs to commence the construction of the long-awaited Bunyoro Public University.
The UPDF Engineering Brigade will execute the initial phase of the multi-billion project.
The Minister of State for Education and Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, announced the milestone during a parliamentary sitting on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Finance has released Shs4 billion in the current financial year to build a multipurpose academic block.
“We plan to start the phase with the available resources as we mobilise for additional funds. Government remains committed to the establishment of Bunyoro University,” Ogwang said.
Hon. Ogwang noted that the complete first phase of infrastructure development requires Shs177.5 billion.
The Ministry of Education is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to secure the remaining funds.
The government is currently concluding a formal Memorandum of Understanding with military engineers to begin civil works immediately.
The ministerial statement followed a motion moved by Hoima City Woman Representative, Hon. Asinansi Nyakato, demanding the urgent establishment of the higher-learning institution.
Hon. Nyakato stressed that recurring funding delays have denied local students affordable higher education.
“Establishment of the university constitutes both a matter of regional equity, skills development and qualification attainment for Uganda’s oil and gas sector development and broader industrialization,” Nyakato said.
The institution will deliver tailored engineering, sciences, and technical training to equip residents with critical skills for the Albertine Graben oil sector.
Bugangaizi East County MP, Hon. Onesimus Twinamasiko, backed the curriculum focus on oil, gas, and industrial sciences.
Hoima West Division MP, Hon. Ismail Kasule, stated that building the university corrects historical regional imbalances across the 13 districts of Bunyoro.
Pakwach Woman MP, Hon. Jane Avur Pacuto, urged the government to integrate the project into the National Development Plan IV to tackle youth unemployment.
“In the National Development Plan IV, government is focusing on human development and the university should be one of the outputs. We have been talking about how we are grappling with unemployment, through this university many people will be employed,” Pacuto said.
