By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Lira University members were excited to learn that the long-awaited multi-billion shillings Storey Administration Block construction is almost getting completed.
During the Council meeting held on 27th June 2025, chaired by Mr. David Geoffrey Opio Okello, members physically checked the progress of works of the Administration Block following the extension of time of 4 months granted to the contractor, ending in October 2025. The construction completion project will cost at least sh13 Billion. Council members were happy with the speed at which works was being executed by the contractor. “We hope the contractor may beat the deadline of October 2025 so that the building is handed over to the management as scheduled,” Council Chairperson, Mr. Opio Okello asserts.
National Enterprise Corporation Works and Engineering Ltd (NEC), the engineering arm of the UPDF, is the contractor for this building project.
The Block is expected to provide office space to several departments including the University Visitor, Chairperson Council, Vice Chancellor and Deputy Vice Chancellors.
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.
Major achievements which have been registered since the University’s inception are:
a) Developed a comprehensive and all-inclusive master plan for the main campus showing where all strategic investments are situated; also designed and developed another master physical plan for the 344 acres of land in Amolatar District to host the Faculty of Agriculture and Marine Sciences, among others.
b) Established key all-inclusive and accessible infrastructure facilities for provision of lecture theatres, laboratories, office space, road network, electricity, water and internet connectivity. Some of these key facilities include: The Education block (housing Faculties of Education, Medicine and Computing & Information Sciences); 32-roomed residence/ hostel for the medical interns attached to the Teaching Hospital, Demonstration block/ diet kitchen and laundry with sterilization unit attached to the Teaching Hospital, and the main Administration block (multi-year commitment) for accessible & all-inclusive office space, central lectures & conference facilities, among others.
c) Constructed and operating the first ever Teaching Hospital on-campus in the country (funded under ADB-HEST I project) which is providing both the teaching and clinical services to the students and the public respectively.
d) Developed a cumulative total of 27 Academic Programmes including four Graduate programmes (Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration & Management, Master of Public Health and Master of Midwifery Science), all spread under six different Faculties.
e) Enrolled 2,077 students (1,266 males and 811 females), registered 1,445 students (848 males and 597 females) across the 27 academic programmes.
Recruited and deployed a total of 409 staff (239 males & 170 females) of which 246 (60.1%) are Academic staff (144 males & 102 females) while 163 (39.9%) are administrative staff (95 males & 68 females).
g) Supported over 30 staff to undertake further studies (including over 15 PhDs) in various academic institutions in a bid to build a critical mass of staff with higher academic qualifications.
h) Held 6 different Graduation ceremonies with a cumulative total of 2,207 graduands (949 females and 1,258 males) under the various academic disciplines.
i)Undertook critical research and innovation activities, disseminated findings and published papers in the peer reviewed journals as well as strategic community engagement programmes.
j) Established the third Council of Lira University and relevant committees to run its affairs.
k) Developed several policies to steer implementation of all core programmes in the University.
l) Conducted a comprehensive review of the previous Strategic plan (2020/21-2024/25) and performance of the second Council of Lira University to inform development of the next plan (2025/26-2029/30) in line with the NDP IV and other National aspirations.
m) Reviewed the staff establishment to accommodate the emerging human resource needs of the University.
n) Established strategic partnerships and collaborations with relevant actors for holistic development of the University.
o) Procured assorted medical and Science laboratory equipment and supplies for the Faculties and the Teaching Hospital.
p) Procured 3 buses, 2 pick-ups and 2 station wagons to promote outreach and community engagement programs.
q) Procured assorted office and lecture room furniture, fittings and fixtures.
r) Procured assorted instructional materials including text books and ICT equipment and supplies.
s) Developed two (2) successor projects following the extensions and subsequent expiry of previous projects, namely: Lira University Infrastructure Project II (1857) and Institutional Development of Lira University (1934) have been admitted to the Public Investment Plan (PIP) and once fully funded, shall address the respective capital investments and retooling assets requirements of the University. These projects are expected to deliver accessible and all-inclusive facilities for effective teaching and training while enhancing the research and innovation capabilities to all the beneficiaries.
Members of the University Council include; Vice Chairperson, Nellie Florence Okullo, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Assoc. Prof. Okaka Opio Dokotum, Agnes Baku Chandia, John Muheirwoha, Dr. David Martin Ogwang, Dr. Florence Ebila, 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.
