GREATER MASINDI LEADERS UP IN ARMS FOR SITE OF BUNYORO UNIVERSITY BRANCH

By Innocent Atuganyira

MASINDI: Leaders have been challenged to solve the encumbrances on the proposed land for the establishment of Bunyoro University and its faculties.

The call was made Thursday evening during the meeting held at Kabalega Resort Hotel in Masindi, involving the Bunyoro University Taskforce Committee for the establishment of the university and stakeholders from different parts of Bunyoro, including politicians.

The Member of Parliament representing Buruli County, Akugizibwe Alled Ronald, discouraged leaders from squabbling over land for the establishment of the greater Masindi campus, noting that other districts like Buliisa and Kiryandongo may take up the opportunity.

Akugizibwe’s advice follows a scuffle that ensued in the Masindi district council after a section of councilors questioned the absence of the item to approve the land for the construction of Bunyoro University campus for the greater Masindi on the order paper.

Leaders in the Masindi district are still pulling the strings on where the campus for greater Masindi should be situated, whether at Kihonda Demonstration Farm or Kayanja Land.

According to Akugizibwe, if the encumbrances on the proposed land for the establishment of the Greater Masindi Campus are not solved, they will end up losing the opportunity to other districts like Buliisa and Kiryandongo.

‘’If we don’t resolve the encumbrances on the proposed land for the establishment of the Greater Masindi Campus, we will end up losing the opportunity to other districts like Buliisa and Kiryandongo,’’ he said, adding that there is a need for leaders to unite since the university will benefit all citizens and the next generation.

The coordinator for the Taskforce Committee for the Establishment of Bunyoro University, Patrick Byakagaba, said land is the greatest stumbling block for the establishment of the university and its faculties.

He disclosed that the taskforce will not involve itself in the land encumbrances but will wait for the land to be handed over to them and then process to transfer the land title to Bunyoro University.

‘’We cannot involve ourselves in the land encumbrances but will wait for the land to be identified and handed over to the taskforce and we process the transfer of the land title to Bunyoro University,’’ he asserted.

Ochira John Pakony, the Assistant Commissioner for University Education and Training at the Ministry of Education and Sports, also asked the leaders to solve the encumbrances on the proposed land for the establishment of the university since it’s the major factor.

‘’Land is the major factor hindering the establishment of Bunyoro University. Leaders should therefore solve the encumbrances on the proposed land for the establishment of the university since it’s the major factor,’’ he advised.

Prof. Samuel Kyamanywa, the chairperson of the taskforce management committee for the establishment of Bunyoro University, said that currently they are developing the academic program for the university.

Prof. Kyamanywa said that according to the given roadmap, they hope that at the beginning of this calendar year they will have seen most of the programs submitted to the national council for higher education.