LIRA CITY, July 22, 2026 — Lira University has entered into a partnership with the Uganda Development Bank [UDB] to construct a students’ hall of residence in response to a sharp rise in enrolment, which has reached about 3,000 students.
According to the Acting University Secretary, Tom Atim, the university admitted and verified approximately 3,000 students for the 2026/2027 academic year across its various academic programmes.
“It is a great achievement because without students, some of us would be irrelevant since they are our core clients,” Atim said.
He explained that the university is working with UDB under a financing arrangement in which the bank will fund and construct the students’ hostel before handing it over to the university. The institution will then repay the cost through an agreed financing model.
“We intend to establish and construct a students’ hall of residence through a partnership where the bank undertakes the construction and hands it over to the university. We shall then repay through an agreed financing modality,” Atim said.
Atim made the remarks during a meeting held to welcome the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng, who recently resumed office after spending three months on sick leave.
Ogwal said the university has made remarkable progress since its establishment, growing from a small institution with only a handful of students into a thriving public university with an enrolment of about 3,000.
Situated at Ayere Cell in Lira City West Division, about five kilometres west of Lira City, Lira University began as a constituent college of Gulu University in 2012 before attaining autonomous status in July 2015.
Ogwal described the increased student enrolment as a major milestone, noting that higher enrolment boosts the university’s revenue base and strengthens its ability to fulfil its academic mandate.
“That is what happens around universities in the world,” he said.
Dr. Andrew Ojulong, who served as Acting Vice Chancellor during Prof. Ogwal’s absence, said the university leadership remained united and committed to ensuring continuity in service delivery and implementation of institutional programmes.
“Our leadership is united and focused on the common mission of ensuring that service delivery is not compromised by individual interests,” Ojulong said.
The planned hostel is expected to address the growing demand for student accommodation as the university continues to expand its academic programmes and student population.
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