By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
The Members of Parliament from Lango Sub-region have pledged commitment to boost the ongoing steadfast growth of Lira University in the 21st century, with plan to contact key government players including President Museveni for infrastructure development funding.
Under their umbrella, Lango Parliamentary Group, the legislators lauded the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal,Okeng, Top Management Committee members and other staff for their spirited and concerted efforts that have resulted into the constant growth of the University in many ways. The MPs were meeting the University Management Team at the Medical Library in Education Block on 10th August 2026.
Lango Parliamentary Group Chairperson, Hon. Patrick Ogwang Obura, MP for Oyam South said all the 31 legislators from the sub-region are united and focused to seeing the University keeps endless growth and meets international standards. “As Lango MPs, we are a one force, one voice, speaking same language about the university, a powerful gift from the government to the people in this area.”
Prof. Ogwal Okeng showing the artisitic impressions of the architectural designs of the infrastrucure buildings pinned on the walls, estimated to cost sh180 billion in total
MP Ogwang Obura urged the university stakeholders to unconditionally support the university even if there could be some disagreements. “We cannot avoid intrigues or disagreements in an institution like this, but how to resolve it is paramount. Do not expose your dirt in the public using the media or other means, you are pulling down the great university directly or indirectly.”
The Oyam South MP adds, “we the MPs from Lango are proud of the VC and staff, please continue being united, promoting team spirit for us to achieve the dreams of the university. All of us in Lango sub-region should be happy and contribute towards the growth of the institution irrespective of political or religious differences. This is our own baby, let us see it grow and mature, we must avoid negative publicity of the institution, rather join hands in lobbying for funding and other development opportunities for our university to match the 21st century needs.”
Council Chair, Mr.David Geoffrey Opiokello(standing) making a presentation at the meeting
Hon. Patrick Ogwang(Aregedeng), MP Erute North said, “as a pioneer student of this university, we are extremely grateful to the VC, Prof. Ogwal Okeng, the one who has been seeing the university start from the bushes of Balla Stock Farm, from the scratch, with several snakes and wild animals threatening his life while sitting in a tree-shed for his office.”
Hon. Ogwang said,” Prof. Ogwal,Okeng has a great national and global legacy and a huge gift to Lango, Uganda, and the whole world. My plea to Prof. Ogwal Okeng, please remain resilient, robust, committed and focused just when you started during the launch of the establishment of this university. We are behind you and Management Team always, our doors are open for consultations.”
MPs Geoffrey Ocen (Kioga North), Fred Jalameso (Ajuri County), Colline Angwec (Kioga county) and others who spoke, promised support to the university Management, and lobbying with various partners in development projects.
Lira University Council Chairperson, Mr. Geoffrey David Opiokello praised the MPs for the visit. “This visit is a huge positive gesture towards the development of this university. If we continue like this, with serious communication links and follow up of what we agree on, this university will defeintely be a world-class educational institution,” he observed.
Mr. Opiokello said the government has continued to create more public universities across the country, which requires Lira University stakeholders to strategize and attract further fundings to boost academic and other development projects.
“The University has a powerful, comprehensive and detailed Strategic Plan to guide development opportunities of the institution. So I request the university stakeholders including the MPs to access this great document that will inform our direction of thinking,” he added.
Hon. Sam Atul, Lira City Mayor (standing), addressing the meeting
Prof. Ogwal Okeng informed the MPs about the university achievements and challenges. “The students’ enrolment is increasing every academic year although we face limited lecture space challenge. This academic year alone, we admitted more than 3,000 students. We request the Government to fund our infrastructure development projects to bridge the space gaps and others,” he notes.
He further noted that the University Management and staff have attracted several national and global partnerships and collaborations. “For us collaboration is important, the reason we have built the Teaching Hospital, and other infrastructures. We have global friends and partners, but these are not adequate enough to finance all the development needs of this young university. We need more and more projects, please look around and bring others,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng adds.
Prof. Ogwal Okeng noted that Top Management plans to construct multi-billion shillings’ development infrastructures including a magnificent University Library, Teaching Hospital extension and faculty of Management Sciences buildings.
The Acting University Secretary, Mr. Atim Tom also named several achievements and challenges that require funding. “Because of the team work practice, we have achieved a lot including increase of staff numbers in the recently approved university Human Resource Structure by the Ministry of Public Service, “ Mr. Atim said.
Acting University Secretary, Mr. Atim Tom, presenting achivements and challenges during the meeting
With Lira University gaining its status in 2015, from 2009 as Gulu University Constituent College-Lira, Mr. Atim said the students’ enrolment has increased from 66 to now more than 5,000, in six faculties.
He noted that there is a dire need for the government to fund the tarmacking of the 24-km internal roads of the university. President Museveni pledged to support the road tarmacking project while officiating at the 1st University graduation ceremony in 2019.
Both the Lira City Mayor, Hon. Sam Atul and Lira Resident City Commissioner, Mr. Egole, addressed the meeting promising more serious collaborations with the University Team.