About Us

KAPATU aims to be a catalyst for changing mindsets and transforming the Karamoja sub region and Ateker region, thereby fostering accelerated socioeconomic development not only in Karamoja and Uganda but also in the wider Great Lakes Region and the African continent.

University Motto

Educatio ad transformationem

The Karamoja and the Ateker Regions are arguably the richest parts of the Great Lakes Region in mineral wealth, animal husbandry, and a rich culture. However, for several decades, the Karamoja and the Ateker Regions have suffered insecurity, abject poverty, and hunger all mainly attributed to cattle rustling. This insecurity has not only distorted socioeconomic development in the region but has also grossly affected access to education and other social services and in effect, reduced the Karamojong people to the “wretched of the earth”.

The Karamoja Peace and Technology University is therefore poised to offer transformative higher education focused on 21st-century skills for self-reliance and sustainable development starting from the communities affected by cattle rustling. The University’s approach is designed to be an integration of formal education, peace education, health, science and technology, human rights, and psycho-social support to integrate community members who have been affected by insecurity and cattle rustling into the development initiatives.

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The catchment area for the university is the Ateker Region, which encompasses the Karamoja Sub-Region and Teso Region in Uganda, the Turkana of the Turkana Province of the Republic of Kenya, and the Toposa of the Western Equatorial Province of the Republic of South Sudan, constituting potential students for our programs.

Available data from the Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports indicates that the Karamoja Sub-Region alone has 34 Secondary Schools which produce students at S.4 and S.6 levels every year. The students from these schools should be able to enroll in the different academic programs that will be offered by the university. Moreover, given that this is a proposed Public University, students should be able to come from the entire country.

Kotido Roman Catholic Diocese together with the Catholic Lawyers Society International, working jointly with the Government of the Republic of Uganda, is spearheading the establishment of Karamoja Peace and Technology University.

The main campus of this University is Christ the King Catholic Parish, Losilang, Kotido Municipality, Kotido District, Karamoja Sub-region in North Eastern Uganda, East Africa.

The strategic objective of this University is to foster peace and sustainable development in the Sub-Region of Karamoja, the Ateker Region, and the Great Lakes Region in general.

The founders of Karamoja Peace and Technology University are firmly convinced and they very strongly believe that working with all stakeholders, this university will trigger accelerated socio- economic transformation and integral human development for the people in the SubRegion of Karamoja, Ateker Region, the Great Lakes Region and Africa in general.

Karamoja Peace and Technology University was conceived in 2014 and was launched on 29th April 2023 at the Headquarters of the Uganda Episcopal Conference at St. Augustine’s Institute Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda during Catholic Lawyers Society International cerebration of the Red Mass presided over by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Emeritus Giuseppe Filippi MCCJ. Its foundation stone was laid on Friday 28th July 2023 at Christ the King Catholic Parish, Losilang, Kotido Municipality in Uganda.

On both occasions, the Chief Guest was His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, represented by Her Excellency Maj. Jessica Rose Epel Alupo, Woman Member of Parliament for Katakwi District and the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda.

His Excellency Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, is the Founding Chancellor and Visitor of the University while Her Excellency Maj. Jessica Rose Epel Alupo MP, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda is the Founding Deputy Chancellor and Chief Promoter of the University.

The University is a catalyst for mindset change and transformation at all levels of Karamoja Sub Region, Ateker Region, and will enhance the accelerated socio- economic development of Karamoja and Uganda as a country, the Great Lakes Region, and Africa in general.

Justification

Karamoja Peace and Technology University aims to be a catalyst for changing mindsets and transforming the Karamoja sub region and Ateker region, thereby fostering accelerated socioeconomic development not only in Karamoja and Uganda but also in the wider Great Lakes Region and the African continent.

The University’s approach entails integrating formal education, peace education, science and technology, human rights, and psychosocial support to empower the Ateker communities and the entire region affected by cattle rustling and insecurity.

Guided by the philosophy of getting all persons of school-going age, the street and displaced children, child mothers, the Karachunas, former warriors and warriors in the Greater Ateker Region to go to school, leaving no one behind, presidential education for peace scholarship program for Karamoja and Ateker stands as a cornerstone initiative of the University. It is poised to play a pivotal role in peace building thereby enhancing the human resources capacity in the region.

The University has potential to create over two thousand jobs every year within the University structure and out of the University structures to help the Government of Uganda to resolve the question of unemployment within Karamoja and Ateker Region.

Vision

To become a globally recognised centre for peacebuilding, innovation, and inclusive development, rooted in the cultural strength and resilience of Karamoja and Ateker.

Mission

Karamoja Peace and Technology University is committed to empowering the people of Karamoja, Ateker and beyond through transformative education, applied science and technology, and peace-centred research. It fosters inclusive learning, community-driven development, and international collaboration to shape a more equitable and sustainable present and future.

Core Values

  • Veritas.
  • Justitia et Pax.
  • Respect for Natural Law and the Rule of Law.
  • Quality Education.
  • Accountability and transparency.

Objectives

1. Academic Excellence and Relevance:

To develop and deliver at least 20 Interdisciplinary Academic Programs by 2030, focused on peace studies, ICT, environmental sustainability, and community development.

2. Community-led Innovation:

To establish community innovation hubs based on the Service-learning principle, support youth, especially the Karacunas, through entrepreneurship, digital skills training, and applied research, reaching 500,000 beneficiaries in the next five years.

3. Peace and Conflict Transformation:

To launch a Karamoja Peace Leadership Institute within KAPATU by 2026 to conduct region-specific and comparative research on conflict transformation, reconciliation, and social cohesion.

4. Internationalisation and Partnerships:

To build strategic partnerships with at least 10 International Universities or Institutions, starting from Scholas in the Vatican for joint research, faculty exchange, and student scholarships by 2027.

5. Coordination of International Projects:

To coordinate international projects of relevance such as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve to increase the visibility of the university community on the global stage.

6. Gender Equity and Inclusion:

To achieve at least 50% representation of women across student enrolment and leadership positions by 2028, with tailored support for the Karamojong and Ateker as a marginalised people in Uganda.

7. Sustainable Campus Development:

To design Karamoja Peace and Technology University as a Green University, integrating renewable energy, eco-friendly infrastructure, and climate resilience education into all its operations and curricula.