In a ceremony held at Nakasero State Lodge, the Church of Uganda formally handed over Busoga University to the Government of Uganda, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of the institution into a public university. The transition, which was officiated by the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, His Grace Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, was witnessed by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, who accepted the institution on behalf of the government.
The official handover included a 215.4-acre land title, a signed memorandum of understanding, and a comprehensive audit report by the Auditor General confirming the institution’s assets and liabilities. This move, officials said, affirms the government’s commitment to expand public higher education infrastructure in the Busoga subregion.
The ceremony was graced by prominent leaders and stakeholders from both government and the Church, including First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, Third Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Nakadama, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, and State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo. Key religious leaders and dignitaries such as the Katukiro of Busoga Kingdom, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, and bishops from the East and Central Busoga Dioceses were also present.
In her remarks, Hon. Janet Museveni expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Church of Uganda for the donation of land and for its foundational role in establishing the university. She described the handover as a spiritual and educational milestone for the people of Busoga.
“We thank God for how far He has brought us in the process of establishing a public university in the Busoga region. We can confidently say, ‘Ebenezer – thus far has the Lord brought us,’” said the First Lady.
\She highlighted that the government’s decision to take over the institution was in direct response to appeals from local stakeholders after the revocation of Busoga University’s provisional license by the National Council for Higher Education in 2017. The acquisition was guided by a feasibility study conducted by a presidential committee led by Minister Muyingo.
“Now that the land is available for government to make the investment, we hope to move faster with the establishment of this university,” she said, assuring that infrastructural upgrades would commence soon to meet national standards.
Mrs. Museveni also updated stakeholders on the status of the university’s liabilities. She reported that out of the verified liabilities totaling 15.2 billion shillings, only 7.05 billion remains unsettled and that the government is working swiftly to clear this balance. She further indicated that the dissolution of Busoga University Limited is in its final stages.
Authority over the institution was officially transferred to a newly appointed Task Force Management Committee, chaired by Prof. John Robert Tabuti. The committee will oversee the transition process and the university’s formal establishment under the Ministry of Education and Sports. The First Lady urged stakeholders to maintain patience and support as the process unfolds.
Quoting Isaiah 58:12, she called on all participants to approach the process with excellence, integrity, and a spirit of nation-building.
Archbishop Kazimba praised the government for fulfilling its pledge and acknowledged widespread public support for the university’s transition. He emphasized the Church’s long-standing commitment to education and societal transformation, noting that the new public university must uphold values of compassion, service, and community impact.
“We envision a university that is not only a centre of learning but also a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement – and above all, a university that aligns with the Church and nation’s core values of serving the common good,” he said.
The Archbishop also requested that the Church of Uganda retain permanent representation on the university’s governing council and appealed to the government to expedite the settlement of outstanding liabilities and compensation for verified Church assets.
Recommended: President Museveni Emphasizes Professionalism as He Presides Over First Ever Hybrid UPDF Pass Out Ceremony
Canon Edward Gaamuwa, speaking on behalf of Busoga University Limited, traced the institution’s origin to the visionary leadership of the late Bishop Bamwoze in 1993. He recalled how it officially opened to students in December 1999 after receiving a tertiary institution license and thanked all contributors for their role in reaching this historic juncture.
Gaamuwa emphasized the importance of resolving all outstanding liabilities and called for clarity on the academic status of students who have not graduated since 2018.
Prof. Tabuti, Chairperson of the Task Force Management Committee, expressed appreciation to the government, Church, and local leaders for their support. He committed to leading the institution toward becoming a fully operational public university, with continued partnership from the Church of Uganda.
Among other attendees were MPs Iddi Isabirye, Chairperson of the Busoga Parliamentary Caucus, and James Kubeketerya, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports. Representatives from the Auditor General’s Office, Uganda Police Force, UPDF, and local governments of Jinja, Iganga, Kamuli, and Bugiri also participated.
This formal transition not only marks the beginning of a new era for higher education in Busoga but also reinforces a collaborative model between faith-based institutions and the government in delivering sustainable development.
