The organising committee for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Unveiling of Karamoja Peace and Technology (KAPATU) project has today, 19th November 2025, engaged the local media in Karamoja, emphasising the significance of the event to the people of Kotido in particular and Karamoja in general.
The committee, chaired by Kotido Resident District Commissioner Mr Charles Ichogor, during a Press conference held at Losilang, explained that the upcoming event, slated for this Sunday on November 23, 2025, will be historical, and therefore, urged all people to turn out in big numbers.
“I am going to advocate here in Kotido through the District Council that every year on 23rd November, it should be celebrated as Kotido Day. On such a day, we shall invite experts to discuss how to transform both Karamoja and Ateker regions,” RDC Ichogor said.
He urged the communities in the entire Karamoja region to fully embrace this function, explaining that His Excellency, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will be attending as the Chief Guest and will be installed as the Founding Chancellor. On the same event, Her Excellency, the Vice President, Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel will be installed as the Deputy Founding Chancellor.
Mr Ichogor said that so far, the preparations for the event are in full gear with various sub-committees making final touches on their tasks as assigned.
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Meanwhile, Rev. Fr. Raphael Lobeerei, the Organising Committee Vice Chairperson, also rallied the communities to turn up in big numbers, explaining that the event will give them an opportunity to witness history being made as Karamoja gets its first-ever university. He added that the communities will also be able to see the designs for KAPATU and also have time to interact with the administrators on various issues of their interest.
“The university has come at the right time when there is relative peace in Karamoja,” he said, adding that the prevailing peace will greatly enhance KAPATU’s long-term plan of transforming this region through education and skills development.
Several dignitaries from both within and abroad are expected to attend.
ABOUT KAPATU
KAPATU is a Nucleus National Public University established jointly by the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Kotido and Moroto, the Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI), headed by its president, Counsel Severino Twinobusingye, and the government of Uganda. With its main campus situated at Losilang, Kotido municipality (Karamoja). The initiative aims to foster peace and sustainable development in the region through education.
It was conceived in 2014 but actualised on 29th April, 2023, in a colourful ceremony at Nsambya presided over by H.E. the Vice President, Maj. Jessica Alupo, who represented H.E. the President. The KAPATU project is being overseen by a Strategic Leadership Committee comprising President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Chair/Founding Chancellor), Vice President Jessica Alupo (Founding Deputy Chancellor), and First Lady, also Minister for Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni.
The government has, in the FY2025/26, allocated Shs180bn for the university’s establishment following a special cabinet sitting on 16th December 2024, chaired by H.E. the President and also attended by H.E. the Vice President.