Gulu University has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish five new faculties over the next five years, but university officials warn that the institution is already struggling with severe infrastructure shortages, inadequate funding, and a fast-growing student population.
Under the university’s master strategic plan, the proposed faculties include Engineering and Technology, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery, and Computing and Information Science.
If completed, these additions will bring the total number of faculties to 11.
But even as the university plans this expansion, the leadership acknowledges that Gulu University currently lacks sufficient lecture rooms, research facilities, and student-learning spaces — with some students still attending lectures under tents.
Vice Chancellor Prof. George Ladaah Openjuru revealed that enrollment has risen sharply from 5,900 students last year to 7,000 this year, with projections suggesting the number will exceed 10,000 within three years.
“The university has 83 academic programs, but our population is expanding faster than our facilities,” he said.
“We have made significant academic achievements in our 25 years, but our infrastructure is not matching this growth,” he added.
Although the university is rolling out online learning programs for more than 7,000 students especially in the Faculty of Education and Humanities, Openjuru emphasised that digital solutions alone cannot fix the growing space.
The university continues to rely heavily on government capital development funds, which officials say are inconsistent and insufficient.
Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, the university’s chancellor and former prime minister, noted that although the university plans to construct all five new faculties,
“We cannot build them at once because the available funding is too limited,” he said.
He added that government budget allocations often fall short of the university’s requests:
“Sometimes we submit our budget to the Ministry of Finance, but the funds are not allocated. The government has competing priorities,” Ruhakana revealed.
Despite this, the university’s capital development allocation increased from shs3.8 billion to shs7.4 billion this financial year, still far below the needs for major construction projects.
Current projects underway include a Business Development Centre, a Central Training Facility, a CENETS facility worth shs27 billion, a shs39.9 billion multipurpose centre, and the establishment of a new Karamoja campus in Moroto district valued at shs6.5 billion.
University Council Chairperson Ms Theresa Mary Obbo warned that student-learning conditions are deteriorating due to insufficient lecture rooms.
“Students are studying under tents. This needs urgent attention,” she said.
“The government must increase infrastructure development funding to build lecture theatres that can accommodate over 6,000 students,” Obbo added.
She noted that while the university is committed to implementing its strategic plan, progress remains slow without improved financial support and the timely release of funds.
Government pushes for innovation but acknowledges gaps
Erick Gitter from the Ministry of Education urged the university to invest more in climate-change-related research and technology innovation. He also encouraged institutions to prepare for a new competency-based curriculum for learners entering higher education.
However, Gitter admitted that the ministry is still working to increase student loan accessibility and expand financial support for higher institutions.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja revealed that the Cabinet is finalising discussions on degazetting a forest area to allow Gulu University to expand its land for development projects.
“Uganda cannot transform without strong human resources,” she said.
“Universities must be supported with infrastructure because human capacity is more important than the vast piece of the forest area that is not being utilised.”
Since its establishment in 2002, Gulu University has graduated more than 28,000 students and positioned itself as a leading public institution.
But as enrollment grows and academic programs expand, the university’s biggest challenge remains unchanged: ambitious development plans with insufficient facilities to support them.
Discover more from tndNews, Uganda
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.