Lira University boss appeals to Museveni to boost Staff SACCO
Speaking during the university’s 7th graduation ceremony held on Friday at the University's Min Campus, Ogwal noted that the first Shs 100 million provided by Museveni in 2019 was well utilised, enabling staff to grow their businesses and address personal financial needs, including paying school fees
LIRA, November 24, 2025 — The Vice Chancellor of Lira University, Prof. Jasper Watson Ogwal Okeng, has appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to increase financial support to the university’s Staff Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation [SACCO], saying it has made a significant impact on staff welfare.
Speaking during the university’s 7th graduation ceremony held on Friday at the University’s Min Campus, Ogwal noted that the first Shs 100 million provided by Museveni in 2019 was well utilised, enabling staff to grow their businesses and address personal financial needs, including paying school fees.
“This support has eased many of the challenges our staff face, particularly in meeting family obligations and boosting their enterprises. However, we believe the need is still great, and we are requesting for additional funding,” Ogwal said. The ceremony was presided over by Vice President Jessica Alupo Epel, who represented President Museveni.
A total of 454 students graduated with qualifications ranging from Executive Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management, Master of Public Health, and Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology and Psychotherapy, to Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science with Education, Bachelor of Computer Science, and other programmes. Additional disciplines included Bachelor of Science in Economics, Bachelor of Midwifery Science, and Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management, among others.
Ogwal emphasised that the SACCO has relieved the university administration of financial pressure and that management plans to expand the scheme to further improve staff welfare.
Delivering the President’s speech, Vice President Alupo reiterated the National Resistance Movement [NRM] government’s commitment to promoting science and technology as catalysts for national development and economic sustainability.
“I am optimistic that the graduands from Lira University will form a formidable workforce that will spur Uganda’s industrialization and technological advancement,” Museveni said.
He commended the university for offering relevant, skill-based programmes that enhance graduates’ competitiveness in the job market. Museveni noted that addressing youth unemployment requires institutions of higher learning to align their training with private-sector labor demands.
“The public sector has only 469,216 jobs, which is very small compared to our population of 46 million. Therefore, the majority of graduates must seek employment in the private sector,” he observed.
The President added that the NRM government has created a conducive environment for private enterprise to thrive, unlike previous regimes that limited job creation.
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