By Patrick Opio
Senior Communications Officer
Tears of joy roll down cheeks of staff, with ululations filling the air, as Vice Chancellor, Prof. Jasper Ogwal Okeng resumes office work today (13th July 2026).
Guided by a band, several excited staff, walked gently, with others in the convoy of vehicles, as Prof. Ogwal Okeng waved through the window to the jubilant crowds, before finally entering the Education Building, where a Top Management meeting was conducted.
Dr. Andrew Ojulong, the Senior Librarian who had been Acting Vice Chancellor since March 2026, handed over the office back to Prof. Ogwal Okeng in presence of senior staff including Faculty Deans and Directors. Prof. Ogwal Okeng had been on a sick leave.
“I am back to my office, extremely happy that the university has been running very well, with the steering experience of this young man, Dr. Ojulong. I keep getting praises from my colleagues across the country that the young man is a real leader, eloquent and vibrant. I get these positive reports from the meetings he attended as Vice Chancellor of Lira University,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng narrates.
He praised the medical teams for successfully treating him and those who prayed for him to recover from the ill-health. “God still wants me to continue walking the journey with you, to make sure Lira University accomplish its mission and vision to the fullest. Together, we can… with this strong team including our focused and disciplined students, no doubt, Lira university shall be among the best in the country and globally” he said amidst applause from the staff.
The Vice Chancellor lauded the university staff for the team spirit that has impacted positively to the institution’s growth. “Outside there some people may think Lira University is collapsing, this very wrong, the university is growing day and night. Several developments have taken place in the few months I have been on leave, with more than 3,000 new students admitted this academic year-2026/2027. This is great and powerful development of the university we started with only 66 students,” Prof. Ogwal Okeng expressed his joy.
On internal conflicts, Prof. Ogwal Okeng said it is common in public universities, giving examples of Makerere, Gulu, Kyambogo, Soroti universities, among others. “It is already in court, let us wait for the ruling,” he said, adding that the university has a unique setting and self-accounting, not run like primary or secondary schools.
Prof. Ogwal Okeng praised the three staff whose contracts recently expired. They are University Secretary, Mr. Augustine Oyang Atubo, University Bursar, CPA Hasahya Nathan Hagobi and Dean of Students, Ms Emma Aceng. “They were great champions that ensured the young university grows. We cannot forget what they did for this university,” he said.
Prof. Ogwal,Okeng cautioned staff against revealing official information to the press or the public without authority. “All staff swore oath of office secrecy; you cannot just circulate official information to the media team or any other person. It is illegal and calls for disciplinary action against the perpetrators,” he warns.
Dr. Ojulong commended the staff for working closely with him during the period he was the acting VC. “I am so much happy with Prof. Ogwal Okeng for choosing me to act in his position while on sick leave. Indeed, several achievements were realised during this short time, teaching, research and innovation activities were effective and efficiently implemented, with more than 30 high profile meetings were attended nationally and globally,” Dr. Ojulong said.
On infrastructure development projects, Dr. Ojulong said, the constriction of the Administration Building almost finishing, now at 99% completion, and the AFCON training ground building moving at high speed.
The Acting University Secretary, Mr. Tom Atim welcomed back the VC, saying they have been working with Dr. Ojulong as a coordinated strong force. “We run the public offices through coordination, consultations, mutual trust and respect and with a focus of accomplishing targets together. This is the team spirit we always promote in this university,” Mr Atim said.
Quoting from the Holy Bible, Mr. Atim revealed that Colossians 3:12 says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience”