KAMPALA, August 27, 2026 — Construction of Bunyoro Public University will soon begin following the approval of the architectural designs, with the UPDF Engineering Brigade lined up to undertake the first phase of the project.
The revelation was made by the Minister of State for Education and Sports, Peter Ogwang, who said Shs 4 billion has been allocated in the current financial year to begin construction of a multipurpose building.
“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 during the sitting of the House on Wednesday.
Ogwang’s pronouncement followed a motion moved by Hoima City Woman Representative Asinansi Nyakato calling for the establishment of the university in the oil-rich Bunyoro Subregion.
He said the first phase of infrastructure development requires Shs 177.5bln, leaving a substantial funding shortfall. The minister added that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has been engaged to mobilise additional resources for the project.
Ogwang added that the government is finalising a memorandum of understanding with the UPDF Engineering Brigade to allow construction to commence.
Nyakato said the establishment of the university was long overdue, despite repeated government commitments. She added that the continued delays have denied residents equitable access to affordable university 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 industrialisation,” Nyakato said.
She said the university will provide relevant technical and professional training, support research and innovation, and prepare locals to participate in the oil economy.
Bugangaizi East County Member of Parliament [MP] Onesimus Twinamasiko supported the university’s proposed focus on engineering, science and other programmes relevant to the emerging oil industry, saying this would be both timely and beneficial.
Hoima West Division MP Ismail Kasule described the establishment of the university as a matter of equity, noting that Bunyoro comprises 13 districts but does not have a public university.
Jane Avur Pacuto, the Pakwach Woman MP, asked the government to incorporate the university firmly into the National Development Plan, saying it would create employment, strengthen human capital development and expand the national tax base.
“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.
Uganda has 10 public universities funded and run by the government, alongside other specialised degree-awarding public institutions. Key public universities established in various cities in the country include: Makerere University [Kampala], Kyambogo University [Kampala], and Mbarara University of Science and Technology [Mbarara],
Others are Gulu University [Gulu], Busitema University [Tororo], Muni University [Arua], Kabale University [Kabale], Lira University [Lira], Soroti University [Soroti], and Mountains of the Moon University [Fort Portal].
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