By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University’s planned celebrations for the 10 years in existence has been launched with recognition of its steadfast development since inception to date.
Several helium-filled balloons were released into the sky for the symbolic start of the anniversary, amidst ululations from audience as the University Chancellor, Justice Dr. Benjamin Josses Odoki announced the launch of the event, at the 7th Graduation Ceremony held on 21st November 2025.
The Anniversary expected to start in January 2026 will run throughout the year with several important and exciting events running up to the next graduation ceremony. Theme: “The Beacon@10: a journey of impact.”
Justice Odoki congratulated the Vice Chancellor of Lira University, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng and his team and the University Council for the 10 years of steady progress. “The score card shows tremendous growth in all indicators; staffing, student numbers, infrastructure, research and innovations,” he said.
Justice Odoki noted the University’s steady progress is also evidenced by the awards and recognitions of staff and student research and innovations. He added, “The university has grown holistically in stature, in knowledge production and in its engagements with the local and international community. Indeed, this a twenty first century University on a mission to impact the nation and the world for the greater good.”
Remarks by Chairperson University Council
The University Council Chairperson, Mr. David Geoffrey Opiokello said that Lira University will be 10 years old, worth celebrating. “This is precisely the reason why the theme of this years’ graduation is The Beacon@10: a journey of impact,” he noted.
Mr. Opiokello added, “This is also the theme for the planned yearlong celebrations of a decade of extraordinary success. Today, we would like to launch this yearlong celebration of Lira University’s Aluminum Anniversary that will end in the next graduation ceremony in 2026.”
He added that the planned anniversary is a special opportunity to celebrate milestones; to look back and see how far we have come, what obstacles we have overcome, what innovations we have made in leadership, in teaching, research and dissemination, community engagement and service delivery.
We have a line-up of activities, Mr. Opiokello said, that will cover this whole year of celebrations. Among which are: Producing a book documenting the growth, development and achievements of Lira University, making a documentary film about the university, activating Lira University Convocation, awareness campaigns, radio talk shows, community and school outreaches, exhibitions, medical camps and many others.
“It is a time to recast our vision and dreams, evaluate how far we have implemented the vision of being a Beacon light, and reassess the foundations of this University that His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni in 2019 called “A magnificent university!” As we celebrate what is undoubtedly a great journey of lighting the nation and the world, we also need to review our strategic objectives and goals, in order to see how far we have realized the vision,” Mr. Opiokello explained further.
Academic growth
The Chair Council noted that in the last ten years, “we have grown from an enrolment of 697 students in 2016 to the current enrolment of 2437. We’ve grown from 2 Faculties to 6 faculties and 2 directorates, from 8 accredited programmes to 33 accredited programmes in 2025, including 6 Masters programmes.
Currently, he said, Lira University has 57 programmes at various stages of seeking Certificate of Financial Implication clearance and accreditation by National Council for higher education. They include: 9 Doctoral programmes, 29 Masters programmes, 14 undergraduate programs and 5 postgraduate Diploma programs.
Mr. Opiokello further explained, “a few of these programs have been developed jointly with East African and European Union Partner Universities and we are looking forward to joint degree awards with our East African and European partners. These are innovative programs developed to tackle the challenges of Uganda’s nation building in global context.”
Research and Innovation.
He adds that Lira University continues to strengthen its position as a leading driver of research, innovation, and community transformation in Uganda and beyond. Lira University received its first Research Grants allocation of 500 million Shillings from government in 2023. The Lira University Research Fund (LURIF) powered 27 research projects of staff and students. In 2024, the second allocation benefited 32 research projects. Since 2016 when the Lira University Creative Developers Association was created, our students have come up with many cutting-edge innovations, some of which have become serious products like the Kawu Card, Organic Cassava Pesticide, Peral Breakfast Cereal Pops, Beacon Hostels, Malaria Larvicide, and NUTRAFE among others. These are flagship innovations adopted by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations for commercialization.
Hospital
Mr Opiokello noted that Lira University Teaching Hospital opened in 2018 as an academic unit shared by health sciences faculties. In the academic year 2018/2019, outpatients’ attendance was 4,204. Based on the first quarter of 2025/2026 academic year, outpatients’ attendance is projected to reach 13,644 by the end of the year.
Physical Infrastructure
“We have made tremendous progress from the days of the Constituent College when the VC’s office was under an Ananga Tree to the ultra-modern Main Administration block nearing completion, the Faculty of Education block, and the Lira University Teaching Hospital, among other infrastructure.,” Mr Opiokello revealed.
Staffing level
In terms of mental infrastructure, Mr. Okello said, we have also grown from a total of 91 staff in 2017, to 456 staff in 2025. This is significant growth, but increase in enrolment as well as programmes also calls for increased staffing.
Land
In 2016, Mr. Opiokello said Lira University had 621 acres of land given by Lango people and handed over by late Apap Wonnyaci Yosam Odur Ebii (rest in Peace). In 2022, the people of Amolatar District gave Lira University 344 acres of land for setting up the College of Agriculture and Aquatic Engineering, bringing our current land acreage to 965.
The Bible teaches us to give honor to whom honor is due. I therefore would like to thank His Excellency the President, for establishing this public university in the Lango subregion, a university that is playing a big part in community and national transformation. May God remember you for good as you continue to serve our country with renewed vigor. The 3rd Council of Lira University is committed to providing unwavering support to Lira University management, and to working with government to consolidate the gains of Lira University and consequently, of our nation.
To the graduands
He congratulated the graduands for a job well done. “Graduation is the final scorecard that proves you did not fry and eat up your seeds like Mr. Hare in one famous Lango folktale!”, he said, adding that, “Today is a celebration of your sacrifice, commitment and dedication. I pray you get jobs quickly, but I would also like to volunteer a quote by a renown Ugandan author and Pan-Africanist Okello Oculi who loved to say, “Go and invent something today!” Inventors and innovators are job creators. There is need for you to shift your mindsets from from job seeking only to job creation, through discovering your God given talents and refining such gifts and talents to help generate revenue.”
To the parents
The Chair Council said, “I must also thank the parents who have made outstanding sacrifice that has produced this crop of a skilled workforce for our nation. God richly bless you all!!”
President Museveni’s Remarks
Represented by Vice President Maj.(Rtd.) Jessica Alupo Epel at the graduation ceremony, President Yoweri Museveni lauded the graduates for refining their reasoning abilities and sharpening their intellect during their academic journey.
“You have sought out diverse opinions, so you now understand the world from multiple perspectives. I congratulate you all, for the dedication and strong-will you have displayed over the years in the pursuit for learning and academic excellence,” the President said.
A total of 454 students graduated with qualifications including Executive Master of Business Administration, Master of Arts in Public Administration and Management, Master of Public Health, Bachelor of Science in Community Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science with Education and Bachelor of Computer Science.
Other disciplines included Bachelor of Science in Economics, Bachelor of Midwifery Science, and Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Management, among others.
Museveni reiterated that the NRM Government remains committed to the promotion of science and technology as a major lever to development and sustainability of our economy. He added, “I am optimistic that the graduands from Lira University will form a formidable workforce which will spur Uganda’s industrialisation and technological advancement.”
The President praised Lira University for teaching relevant academic courses and for equipping students with skills that give them a better standing in the job market. “This is the only way Government and parents will gain value from the enormous investment in our children’s education.”
Vice Chancellor’s Remarks
Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng said the NRM Government under President Museveni’s visionary leadership has established Lira University, a Public University, and a Teaching Hospital that is set to be the 2nd Specialist Hospital in Uganda.
“We appreciate your vision of setting in motion a fast-growing economy that has catapulted Uganda to a Middle-Income Status. By ensuring the return of peace, particularly in Northern Uganda, you have created conditions for the very serious development that is seen all over Uganda including Lango,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng said, adding that Lira University is now a home to students from all over Uganda and beyond.
He noted that Lira University is now fully established with about 2437 (1502 Males at 61.6% and 935 Females at 38.4%) students. “This is in line with the government policy of “achieving equitable expansion of higher education to all Ugandans”, he revealed.
Prof. Ogwal Okeng noted that Lira University, established to specialise in training health science practitioners, offers programmes in Nursing (General), Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health, Counselling Psychology and Medicine and Surgery, among others.
“We have a host of new programmes soon to be mounted which include; Public Health Nursing, Paediatric Nursing, Physiotherapy, Sports Science and Dentistry that will be rolled out gradually,” he said.
On partnerships and collaborations, Prof. Ogwal Okeng said Lira University was started in partnership with SEED Global Health, that provided the first lot of lecturers in Nursing and Midwifery. “Today, the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery will present their Second cohort of Masters of Midwifery Science graduands,” he said.
He added that the University also works with other partners, including the Vice Chancellors’ Forum(VCF), Consortium of Uganda University Libraries (CUUL), Research in Education Network (RENU), Erasmus/AHEAD-European Union, Public Universities in Uganda, Makerere University Business School, Bournemouth University, Pool Charity Hospital, University of Odisse Belgium, Rotterdam University, among others.
Highlights on the challenges facing the University
Lack of Accommodation for Students
Lira University is located in a rural setting (about 12 km from town) where suitable housing is inadequate, particularly for students on government sponsorship that normally come from outside Lira District. The allowances from government are too inadequate to pay for the few private hostels around the Campus.
We propose that student allowances should be increased in the short run, as government considers constructing halls of residence for students. Meanwhile, there is also need for a Central Cafeteria on the campus to serve the staff and students during the day.
Lack of a Perimeter Wall around the University Premises
Lira University is located on plot No.1162 at Ayere Cell, Barapwo Ward, Lira City West Division. It covers a total of land area of 621 acres (251.3 hectares) with land title No.SL/54234. We currently house Six (6) Faculties leaving a good part of land bare and open to intruders which compromises the security of students and staff.
Lack of Accommodation for Staff
The Campus is located over 12 km from town where accommodation for staff is lacking. This is even more acute for staff that are in the Teaching Hospital. Much as the other staff may be able to commute from Lira Town, it is not possible for hospital staff since their work schedule includes night shifts and other special duties. Staff in the Library also have to stay late in the evenings and would need night duty rooms.
Tarmacking of Internal Road Networks in the University
During the first visit to the University which coincided with the first Graduation Ceremony held on 1st November ,2019; H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda made a Presidential Pledge for tarmacking all the internal roads within the University (approx.24 km) to improve accessibility and is yet to be fulfilled.
