The Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) project top management has held a consultative meeting with stakeholders from Karamoja and the Ateker region on the proposed academic programs to be offered by the university.
The top management was led by the KAPATU project Vice Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Prof. Calisto Locheng and was also attended by the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Academic Affairs, Prof. Annette Deborah Kezaabu and the Deans.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor commended the stakeholders for turning up for this important meeting, noting that their attendance emphasises their interest in this university.
“Your presence is very important for the Karamojongs and KAPATU because you’re the people who will represent us in the communities”, the VC Prof. Locheng said.
In Pictures:
He explained the uniqueness of KAPATU’s academic approach, saying apart from offering the usual academic papers, this university will give a chance to people who do not even know English.
“Why is it that it is us who think that knowing English is a sign of being intelligent or being educated? Those boys rearing cows, how do they treat their animals?” he noted, adding that KAPATU also targets such groups for training, skilling and certification.
The Vice Chancellor informed the meeting that KAPATU’s establishment brings higher education services closer to the region, saving parents the challenge of taking their children to Kampala.
He commended H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for his continued support to Karamoja. He said this University is part of the President’s long-term dream to transform the sub-region.
“One can have a dream, but it takes time to actualise a dream. KAPATU is part of the President’s dream to transform Karamoja. He is very passionate about this region, which is the reason he even allowed his wife to work here. The President and his wife are saying, it (KAPATU) must take off. That is why he is coming. We are very proud that he is coming to actualise this dream,” he said.
The stakeholders included the RDC Kotido, Mr Richard Ichogor, area member of parliament Hon. Lokii Peter Abrahams, Northern Division Town clerk, Esther Nakolong, former MP Achia Rex, Security officers, Religious leaders, among others.
Meanwhile, Hon. Lokii Peter Abrahams described KAPATU as an education movement coming to Karamoja. He revealed that the sub-region is plagued with the highest percentage of infant mortality, maternal mortality and poverty compared to any other regions in the country, but with the coming of KAPATU, it will be a blessing to the region.
“We are going to recruit all Karacunas (youth); look for them and train them with our main focus being at the Parish level. The idea is to ensure that we cut off the recruitment of young people to go to conflict. We shall also use them as role models to interest young people in school,” he said, adding that the university will also play a big role in ensuring the success of the Parish Development Model (PDM) program, as beneficiaries will be able to invest their money after getting skills.
Hon. Lokii commended the initiators of the KAPATU project for choosing Kotido district to host its main campus, noting the district is the epicentre of conflict in the region. He said that when the Jie ethnic Karamojong becomes peaceful, the entire sub-region will be peaceful.
On his part, the RDC Kotido Charles Ichogor also described KAPATU as a revolution for Kotido.
“It is a real renaissance in Kotido and Karamoja. There is a lot of excitement. There are many Karacunas who have already surrendered their guns. The war of the gun is over and now it is a war of the mind. I thank H.E the President for his visionary leadership and that’s why we’re now talking of protecting the gains. Even the doubting Thomases who are masquerading around should now surrender and we protect the gains” he said.
He said that the government will ensure KAPATU becomes a success and urged the National Council for Higher Education to speed up the process of granting necessary statutory instruments to KAPATU so that children can start benefiting from its programs. President Museveni is expected to officially inaugurate KAPATU on November 23, 2025, at its main campus in Losilang-Kotido Municipality.
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.