By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University Council has blessed the Lira University Strategic Plan for the next five years with an aim of propelling the University through strengthening its competitiveness for providing accessible quality Higher Education and producing relevant graduates.
The Council meeting held on 26th June 2025, at Public Health Board Room, presided over by its chairperson, Mr. David Geoffrey Opio Okello, passed the 5-year Strategic Plan covering the period of the Financial Years 2025/26 – 2029/30.
While presenting the Draft document to the Council members, Atim Tom, the Deputy Chief Planner, also acting University Secretary, explained that the Strategic Plan was developed to serve as a framework for guiding holistic development in the University.
He added that the plan provides a basis for Annual work plans and budgets for operationalizing all development interventions in the University. “This plan covers the period of the FY 2025/26 – 2029/30 in accordance with the requirements of the National Planning Authority (NPA),” Atim asserts.
He noted that all Government Agencies’ Strategic Plans must be aligned to the fourth National Development Plan, the National Vision (2040) and other key aspirations that are of consequence to the operations of Lira University.
The Council Chairperson, Mr. Opio Okello, former Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda, said that the plan focuses on addressing the University’s Mission of “providing access to quality higher Education, Research and conduct professional training for the delivery of appropriate health services directed towards sustainable healthy community and environment”.
The University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng revealed that the Strategic Plan reflects the aspirations, priorities and core business of the University including Teaching and Training, Skills development and knowledge transfer; conducting outreaches and community engagement, Research and publications and harnessing Public-Private-Partnership (PPP).
Prof. Ogwal added that Lira University aspires to collaborate and partner with other actors both locally and globally to ensure that it strives to contribute to effective delivery of quality higher education through skills enhancement as a key pillar in the development of the Country.
He notes, “It is our strategic wish that this plan should address the needs of all the stakeholders we serve as the cornerstone for its establishment”.
Lira University is situated in a land area of 621 acres and currently has a total of 301 employees and over 2,000 students. The University also has another 344 acres of land in Amolatar District planned for establishment of the Agriculture and Marine Engineering College.
The Council members who attended the meeting were; Vice Chairperson, Nellie Florence Okullo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum, Agnes Baku Chandia, John Muheirwoha, Dr. David Martin Ogwang, Dr. Rosie Agoi, Timothy Jokekene Okee, Hon. Sam Atul, and Hon. Frederick Odongo.
Other members are Dr. Robert Omara, Bosco Onyik Ogwal, Dr. Erick Gitta, Caroline Nabasirye Kambugo, Dr. Obonyo Jimmy Francis, Wadumaga Falidah, Kaahwa Moses,Kyobe Godfrey and Adong Pamela.
