By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University Council Chairperson, Mr. David Geoffrey Opio Okello has urged members and technical staff to work as a team in order to achieve steadfast development and growth of the institution.
While addressing Council members and senior staff during a two-day retreat at Kabalega Resort Hotel in Hoima City on 31st, July 2025 and 1st August 2025, Mr. Opio Okello noted that working in harmony and supportive to each other would foster and enhance academic and research endeavors in the university.
Mr. Opio Okello, former Deputy Governor, Bank of Uganda, advised Council members and the University Management Team to be conversant with laws to effectively govern the university. “Our decisions and actions should be guided by the current laws and policies of the country to avoid making mistakes,” he asserts.
As a success story, Opio Okello revealed that a total of 198 staff were appointed during the first year of the 3rd Council, raising the staffing level of the university. “This is one of the biggest achievements of the Council, worth celebrating,” he adds.
“We need to foster team spirit and networking amongst the Council members and staff towards pursuing a common goal,” he asserts.
Guest Speaker, Prof. J.H. Nyeko Pen-Mogi, the founding Vice Chancellor of Gulu University, urged Lira University Management Team to consider effective advertising and marketing the university in order to attract both national and international students.
“The university will survive the current stiff competitions only if it can enroll national students besides local ones. The VC, as Chief Spokesperson of the university should frequently travel abroad to market the university and attract international students,” Prof. Nyeko Pen-Mogi observes.
He added, “Management should think about the national outlook of the university in both academic and administration or the students’ admissions and general staffing outlook,” he explains.
Prof. Pen-Mogi encouraged students’ exchange visits and organizing scientific and social sciences conferences to enhance the national outlook of the university. He encouraged the University Management to consider running academic programmes that meet the local community needs.
He also called for regular staff development programmes. “A university is strong because of academics….train academic staff for better academic performance,” he said adding that it is prudent for the university to retain and appoint students who excel in academics.
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng noted that the main purpose of the Council Retreat aimed at strengthening the capacity of Council members to effectively execute their governance roles and responsibilities. “The retreat beefs up members’ understanding of the University’s background and achievements to date, while fostering appreciation of the milestones reached,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng reveals.
He adds that the Council needs to reflect on the University’s strategic direction and its ongoing efforts to realize the university’s Vision and Mission.
The University Secretary, Mr. Oyang Atubo Augustine said, given the University’s expanding academic programs, infrastructural developments, and staffing needs, it has become increasingly important to provide a platform for the Council to reflect on and deliberate key governance and strategic issues.
Mr Oyang Atubo noted that the retreat presented an important opportunity for the Council to review the University’s progress, understand and appreciate various University policies, revisit the Council Charter, assess governance challenges, strengthen cohesion among members, and chart new strategic directions in line with the University’s Vision and Mission.
Key Themes
The retreat focused on the following key thematic areas:
- University Background and Staff Structure & University Policy Direction
Understanding the University’s governance framework, institutional structure, and overall policy direction.
- Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilization Strategies
Exploring avenues for strengthening strategic planning and identifying sustainable resource mobilization strategies.
- Presentation of the Annual milestone of the 3rd Council
Reviewing the performance of the 3rd Council upon completion of its first year in Office.
- Council operations i.e., University Charter, UTIA and On-board meetings.
Examining and reviewing the Council Charter to align Council operations with best governance practices.
- University progress i.e. Academic performance, staff recruitment and Infrastructure development in the University
Review the past achievements and discussing ongoing and planned infrastructure projects and their impact on University growth.
- Human Resource Management and Council Emoluments
Addressing staffing issues, human resource development, and harmonization of Council emoluments.
- Research and Innovations at Lira University
Showcasing the University’s achievements in research and innovations and exploring ways to further strengthen these areas.
Lira University is a growing public institution of higher learning established in 2016, operating under the mandate of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act. The University is governed by a Council that plays a critical role in policy formulation, governance, and strategic oversight.
The Council Retreat served as a timely and strategic platform to strengthen governance structures, enhance the Council’s strategic oversight role, and foster institutional growth, innovation, and sustainability. It provided an opportunity for Council members to reflect, strategize, and collectively position the University for continued progress and excellence.
The retreat participants comprised of all members of the Lira University Council, University members of Top Management, Faculty Deans and selected heads of department and Units.
Council Members who attended wereMs. Nellie Florence Okullo (Vice Chairperson), Prof. Jasper Watson Ogwal –Okeng (Vice Chancellor), Assoc. Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum ( Deputy Vice Chancellor), Ms. Agnes Baku Chandia, Mr. John Muheirwoha, Dr. Florence Ebila, Dr. David Martin Ogwang, Dr. Erick Gitta Dr. Rosie Agoi, Mr. Timothy Jokkene Okee, Hon. Sam Atul, Hon. Fredrick Dickens Odongo, Dr. Robert Omara, Mr. Bosco Onyik Ogwal, Ms. Caroline Nabasirye Kambugo, Dr. Obonyo Jimmy Francis, Ms. Wadumaga Falidah, Mr. Kyobe Godfrey, Ms. Adong Pamela and Mr. Augustine Oyang Atubo(University Secretary).
