Government takeover of Busoga university still in limbo

In the photo, state minister for higher education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo

Busoga University is close to being named as one of the country’s public universities, but the process has stagnated in the last couple of months.

The process is not yet completed, since the President has not yet pronounced himself on the matter, save for the fact that the takeover process was completed. 

President Yoweri Museveni, in 2017 tasked the state minister for higher education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo to follow up and lead the team; assigned to prepare the university ready for public acquisition.

But, there is still hope, that the once private university, which was later closed due its operational inefficiency, may soon be a public university.

Dr. Muyingo a couple of months ago, when asked by New Vision about the takeover process, he said that his team completed their investigations and transition plans and a report will be to President Yoweri Museveni and the First Lady Mrs. Janet Museveni, who is also the education minister.

Dr. Muyingo at the time said, “The President, when ready, will decide when Busoga University will re-open. We have proposed, that he also names a taskforce to draw up a befitting academic programmes, which will later be tabled to the National Council for Higher education for approval, if appropriate.”  

Muyingo added that the church and other stakeholders of the tertiary institute based in Iganga district, have been instrumental in making its takeover become a reality.

Rt. Rev. Patrick Wakula, the Bishop of Central Busoga Diocese at the time also emphasised that discussions have been on for some time to ensure a win-win situation for the former church-founded university.

Bishop Wakula, in an interview, a couple of months ago, also said, “As a Bishop I reside adjacent to the University fence and I’m happy to see the university on the right process to its re-opening.”

Dr. Muyingo revealed that the cordial deliberations between all parties; have now put the past differences between the stakeholders, to rest.

“On behalf of the government, I thank the church and all stakeholders for the assets we have seen. The land and buildings we have assessed during the committee’s field trips are vital in improving infrastructure of the public university,” he noted.

He added that when the university is re-opened, it will be a great symbol of the Government continued commitment to develop this sub-region and the country.

“The people of this area have been lamenting over the university closure. But as of now, the Basoga should prepare for good news about a public university in the region,” Muyingo assures.

Genesis of university

Abdullah Balunywa, the Bulamagi LC3 chairman explains that Busoga University started in 1999 as a Busoga Diocese education project located at the main campus near CMS trading centre.

“Even though the university started off on February 12, 1999 with just one student, by the end of that year the number had risen gradually to 150. The population later on increased and the institute got other campuses throughout Busoga,” Balunywa says.

Bishop Paul Naimanhye of Busoga Diocese and the university chancellor explains that the church-founded institution had been occupying six campuses by the time of its closure. They were in Bugiri, Kaliro, Jinja, Kamuli as well as a university farm in Kibuku district.

“Initially the university was supposed to occupy the premises of Bishop Willis Core Primary Teachers’ College. However, a decision was made to shift it to the adjacent Bishop Hannington Theological College site,” he discloses.

What went wrong?

The NCHE moved to revoke the licence of the Iganga-based University citing absence of adequate staff and admission of students without the requisite admission criteria. Also, noted was illegal affiliation and miserable financial health.

The notice to close the Busoga Anglican Diocese founded institution, was published in the Uganda Gazette of December 1, 2017.

“The NCHE shall set up a technical committee to work with Busoga University to support the institution in its placement of eligible students to recognized institutions. Revocation of provisional licence does not affect validity of academic awards while licence was still operational,” the Gazette reads in part.

Earlier on in 2016, the varsity sued NCHE after the body had stopped authorities from recruiting any new students.

In January 2017, Justice Solomy Balungi Bossa issued an interim order restraining NCHE from stopping admission of new students, pending the disposal of the main application for a temporary injunction.

This followed an accusation that had been made that Busoga University had taken on students from Nigeria and South Sudan with questionable qualifications.

On December 5 of the same year, through the varsity lawyers Kwesigabo, Bamwine and Walubiri Advocates, Busoga University demanded that NCHE rescind its closure notice.

The lawyers wanted NCHE to publish another general notice in the Uganda Gazette, cancelling the revocation and give the university a signed copy of the same.

However, this did not come to pass and the status quo remained with cessation of educational activities at the university campuses.

According to Prof. John Opuda, the then National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) executive director, the varsity had awarded fake degrees to among others foreign students, recruited unqualified academic staff and was heavily indebted contrary to Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.

Dr. Muyingo directed the varsity in January last year not to admit any students until its proposed public operational status had been streamlined.

Story by Henry Tumwine and Notti Mwesigwa