By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
President Yoweri Museveni has encouraged graduates of Lira University to deeply analyse and evaluate the trajectory of society and devise strategies for transformative change through their professional expertise.
Represented by Vice President Maj.(Rtd.) Jessica Alupo Epel at the university’s 7th graduation ceremony on 21st November 2025, 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.”
On the problem of unemployment among the young graduates, Museveni said this can be easily solved if all the Institutions of Higher Learning teach relevant courses that satisfy the job market in the private sector.
Museveni said, “the public sector has only 469,216 jobs. This is absolutely nothing, in relation to a population of 46 million Ugandans. Therefore, the greatest number of graduates must seek employment in the private sector.”
Unlike the past regimes which suffocated the private sector, thus undermining its capacity to create jobs, Museveni said the NRM has created a favourable environment to attract local and foreign investments.
He encouraged universities to equip students with skills which are needed by the private sector. “As Government attracts more investments, the demand for a skilled and productive workforce will also increase. The students must be responsive to the rapidly changing global economy which is mainly driven by science and technology,” he advised.
Museveni advised the graduands to refrain from reckless and dangerous lifestyles such as drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, extravagant spending, among others. “Remember, the Government and your parents have made endless sacrifices to educate you,” he said.
Lira University Chancellor, Justice Dr. Benjamin Joses Odoki, appreciated the University Academics Team for implementing the new competency-based curriculum system. He added that the competency-based curriculum is not new in Africa.
“This is the curriculum of our forefathers before the onset of colonialism. Our fathers taught through apprenticeship in a learner-centered, multidisciplinary, adaptive, and collaborative setting. I encourage you to move beyond traditional the-teacher-is-god teaching approach to the use of interactive, blended, and personalized learning models to meet diverse needs,” he said.
The Chancellor congratulated the Vice Chancellor and his team and the University Council for the 10 years of steady progress, specifically in staffing, student numbers, infrastructure, research and innovations.
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.
Challenges facing the University
Your Excellency, allow me to highlight some challenges that we are grappling with currently.
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.
