By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University has formed its 3rd Council with the former Bank of Uganda Deputy Governor, David Geoffrey Opio Okello appointed as its Chairperson.
At the first 3rd Council meeting held on 30th April 2024, Opio Okello was unanimously elected as the Chairperson of the Council with Nellie Florence Okullo, former commissioner, Ministry of Education and Sports appointed Vice Chairperson.
Members of the 3rd Council appointed include Sr Baku Agnes Chandia (Commissioner Nursing and Midwifery, Ministry of Health), Dr. Rossie Agoi(Secretary General UNESCO), Hon. Sam Atul(Mayor Lira City), Bosco Onyik(former Chairperson National Council of Sports), Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng(Vice Chancellor), Assoc. Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum(Deputy Vice Chancellor), Dr. Florence Ebila (Senior Lecturer, Makerere University) and Oyang Atubo Augustine(University Secretary).
Others are Timothy Jokkene Okee, John Muheirwoha, Hon. Frederick Odongo Dickens, Robert Omara, Caroline Nabasirye Kambugo, Dr Jimmy Francis Obonyo, Gift Ninsiima, Moses Ayena and Wadumaga Faridah.
The Chairperson, Mr. Opio Okello welcomed members of the Council saying they have to work as a team with all the stakeholders of the young university to attain a steadfast growth. “As the top organ of the University, our role is a sacrifice, and policy making related ….. we have to contribute substantively and add value to Lira University during this period we are in office,” Opio Okello asserts.
“As a Council we shall work on support for research and innovation activities, look for fundings from not only government but also from other development partners nationally and globally” he said.
He adds, “When we put our heads together, embrace team spirt and speak only one language of development with trust and being accountable, all will be well for this young University.”
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng lauded the new Council members for accepting to join the Lira University team in steering the university in a positive direction. “The Management of the University is happy and thrilled to receive you in the struggle to make this university a powerful, credible and globally competitive institution of learning,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng says.
Prof. Ogwal Okeng noted that the 3rd Council is composed of men and women of high calibre, quality and proven integrity with vast experiences in various fields expected to benefit the University immensely.
The 4-year term of the 2nd Council headed by Assoc. Prof. Joel Okullo Odom ended in April 2024.
Lira University is a Public University established on the 8th day of July, 2015 under the Statutory Instrument No. 35 of 2015, and under section 22 (I) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001 as amended. The University’s 621-acre land Main Campus is located at Barapwo Cell, Lira City West Division, Lira City with the Amolatar Campus, occupying 334-acre land in Amolatar District.
