President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on March 19, 2025, presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for Bunyoro University, urging leaders to prioritize free education and economic empowerment to ensure access to higher education for all Ugandan children.
Free Education Key to Reducing Dropouts, Says Museveni
Speaking in Kikuube District, President Museveni emphasized the importance of implementing free Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) to prevent school dropouts, particularly among children from low-income families.
“Insist on free education for children in government schools and implement it.
The rich can take their children to private schools, but those from poor families should have no excuse for dropping out,” he said.
The President warned that without free education and household economic development, local children may not qualify to attend Bunyoro University.
“If families are still poor, children will drop out of school. If they drop out, who will attend this university? You will find students from other regions because local children didn’t complete primary or secondary education. A university is not a marketplace; you must go through the education system to qualify,” he noted.
Household Economic Empowerment Critical for Education Access
Museveni also highlighted the need for families to support their children’s education beyond the limited government scholarships available.
“Even where free education has been implemented, only a limited number of high-performing students receive government sponsorship. The rest rely on family support, which means we must focus on developing homesteads economically,” he explained.
Focus on Job-Creating Courses, Museveni Advises
The President advised university planners to prioritize courses that create employment opportunities, drawing lessons from the establishment of Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
“A medical doctor cannot fail to get a job, whether here or abroad. That is why we started Mbarara University with medicine before adding science education and ICT,” he said.
He cautioned against offering courses with limited job prospects, particularly for students from low-income families.
“It’s unfair to educate a child from a poor family in conflict resolution while others pursue fields that guarantee employment.
Be careful about the courses you recommend for our children,” he advised.
Uganda’s Higher Education Expansion Gains Momentum
Museveni reflected on Uganda’s progress in higher education, noting that when the NRM government took power, the country had only one public university, Makerere, which produced just 80 doctors annually.
“According to the WHO, one doctor should serve 500 people. With Uganda’s population at 46 million, we need more doctors,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to establishing a public university in each of the country’s 18 zones.
Prioritization Key to Uganda’s Stability, Museveni Says
The President attributed Uganda’s stability to the government’s strategic prioritization, contrasting it with neighboring countries experiencing turmoil.
“Some people claim that NRM has forgotten them, but they don’t understand prioritization. When we were fighting, we knew what to handle first. Today, because the economy has grown, we are addressing more issues, including expanding public universities,” he said.
Petroleum Revenues to Boost Development Projects
Museveni assured Bunyoro that with petroleum revenues expected next year, more development projects will be realized.
“A Munyankole proverb says, Engabo yakyeli togyihera mwana mubazi: You don’t give a heavy shield to a weak child. We started Mbarara University when people opposed me, saying we should consolidate Makerere. But the concept of public universities is mine, and we shall continue expanding,” he emphasized.
First Lady Praised for Education Sector Leadership
He concluded by praising the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Maama Janet Museveni, for her dedication to managing Uganda’s education sector.
Bunyoro University: A Game-Changer for Higher Education
Professor Samuel Kyamanywa, Chairperson of the Bunyoro University Task Force, described the institution as a long-awaited game-changer for higher education in the region.
Call for Unity Among Bunyoro Leaders
Meanwhile, Kikuube District LC5 Chairperson Peter Banura called for unity among Bunyoro leaders and urged them to support government initiatives despite personal differences.
The establishment of Bunyoro University marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s efforts to expand access to higher education and drive regional development.
