The Government of Uganda is in the final stages of reopening the former Busoga University as a Public University, with only a few statutory processes remaining before its official operationalization.
This follows a high-level consultative meeting chaired by Hon. Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo in his capacity as Acting Minister of Education and Sports. The meeting was held at Hotel Africana and brought together key stakeholders to finalize discussions on the naming of the institution.
The former Busoga University, which had previously been closed due to governance and financial challenges, has since been taken over by Government and is being repositioned as a public institution to expand access to higher education in the Busoga sub-region.
Hon. Muyingo reaffirmed Government’s commitment to the project, highlighting that over UGX 23 billion has already been invested to clear legacy debts, renovate infrastructure at the Iganga campus, and equip the university. He noted that additional works are ongoing to ensure the institution meets all requirements for reopening.
Stakeholders were guided by the legal framework under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, which provides that a public university is established by statutory instrument upon recommendation by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
While NCHE has already recommended the establishment of the university, its legal officer, Madam Fiona Kunihira, advised that the name “Busoga University” should not be retained due to past legal and institutional challenges associated with its closure, emphasizing the need for a fresh identity.
During the meeting, former Vice President Specioza Wandira Kazibwe proposed “Busoga International University” as a forward-looking alternative.
Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama urged Government to expedite approval of the proposed name, calling for the university to be opened before the end of the current Government term and ahead of the swearing-in of the next administration.
The Chairperson of the Busoga University Taskforce Management Committee, Prof. John Tabuti, presented a comprehensive report highlighting progress made, stakeholder engagement outcomes, and the institution’s readiness for transition.
The meeting reached consensus on a proposed new name for the university. The agreed name will now be submitted for consideration and approval by Cabinet and other relevant Government bodies, in line with established legal procedures. This process will also involve verification and reservation of the name with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), before it is formally declared through a statutory instrument.
Hon. Muyingo emphasized that the remaining steps are procedural and necessary to ensure the university is established on a firm legal and institutional foundation.
“With the progress made so far, we are now at the final stage. Once the approval processes are completed, the university will be formally established and ready to open its doors,” he stated.
With infrastructure upgrades ongoing, funding secured, and stakeholder consensus achieved, the reopening of the former Busoga University as a public institution is now imminent—marking a major milestone for higher education development in Busoga and Uganda at large.
