Government’s Regional University Plan Praised as Boost for Education and Jobs

Government plans to establish a public university in every region of Uganda have been welcomed by education experts, who say the move could increase access to higher education and spur development in underserved areas.

The proposal, announced last week by the Ministry of Education and Sports, is aimed at extending university education closer to communities that currently lack public higher institutions. Uganda currently has a limited number of public universities, forcing many students to compete for few government-sponsored slots.

Speaking about the development, Ministry spokesperson Dr. Dennis Mugimba said the initiative is part of government’s broader strategy to expand equitable access to higher education across the country.

“Government is committed to ensuring that every region has access to a public university so that learners can pursue higher education closer to their communities and contribute to local development,” Dr. Mugimba said.

Education experts have welcomed the proposal, saying it could reduce the burden on existing public universities while opening opportunities for thousands of students.

Professor Muhammad Musoke Kiggundu of Makerere University says the move has the potential to transform regional economies through job creation and increased academic opportunities.

“When a public university is established in a region, it does not only benefit students. It also creates employment opportunities for lecturers, administrators, researchers and service providers within the community,” Prof. Kiggundu said.

He added that the expansion of public universities could reduce competition for university entry, especially for students seeking government sponsorship.

However, Prof. Kiggundu cautioned government against allowing regional favoritism in recruitment at the proposed universities.

“There must be an open and transparent recruitment policy so that employment opportunities in these universities are accessible to all qualified Ugandans, not only people from the host regions,” he said.

He also urged the government to heavily invest in research and tailor academic programmes to address the unique challenges facing different regions of the country.

“Universities should not merely exist as buildings. The courses and research conducted there must directly respond to the economic and social needs of the communities they serve,” Prof. Kiggundu added.