All Saint University Lango appeals to Museveni as URA debts grow

By Ceasar Okello

Lira – February 25, 2022: All Saint University Lango (ASUL) is one of the few Church of Uganda founded Universities in Uganda.

In the Lango sub-region, ASUL, under the supervision of the Diocese of Lango, is not doing well financially.

She owes the government’s main tax collector, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) millions in outstanding tax arrears.

This has been made public by the University’s top official, who has appealed to President Museveni to intervene and save them.

ASUL is now more than 10 years old and has produced dozens of great human resource personnel for the country. However, sources say it has been a challenge for her to meet URA’s tax obligations since Covid-19 hit the country.

ASUL’s inability to pay URA what it wants was also coupled with the lengthy closure of schools by the government to control the spread of the virus.

During a function held at the University’s main campus located in Lira City East Division, the university leadership received two tractors given by the government.

Prof. Anthony Cula, the Vice-Chancellor, appealed to the government to come for their rescue.

Prof. Cula asked Minister of Health Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ochero who was the Guest of Honor to extend their plea to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. In his verbal plea, he wants consideration by putting the ‘debts off’.

“Most of the accumulated URA debts came as a result of two years lockdown following the outbreak of novel Coronavirus,” he said but didn’t disclose the outstanding figures.

The Vice-Chancellor, however, promised that the University will put into right use the two tractors given by OWC Chief Coordinator Gen. Salim Sale through the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to him, the tractors have come at the right time when the government intends to embark on the Parish Development Model (PDM), adding that it will also help in strengthening the Faculty of Agriculture at the University.

The Chancellor of All Saint University and the Bishop of the Diocese of Lango Rt. Rev. Dr Alfred Olwa thanked the NRM government for giving the young-growing University tractors.

Bishop Olwa said, “It will go a long way in helping the University achieve its wish for the Faculty of Agriculture.”

Dr Olwa challenged the management of the University and those who will operate the tractors to use them responsibly for the purposes it was given.

While handing over the tractors, Lira City Woman MP, doubling as Health Minister Dr Aceng appreciated the effort by the administration of the University in ensuring that it is growing higher.

Aceng also commended ASUL for prioritizing agriculture, saying through commercial farming 38% of Ugandans living in abject poverty can start earning big and get out of starvation.

On the request by the University authorities over URA debts, she promised to forward it to the President for his consideration.

The minister appealed to the University to desist from teaching students on subsistence farming, saying commercial agriculture is the way to go.

All Saint University Lango is among the few universities in Uganda offering affordable tuition to Ugandans.