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by AdministratorRt. Hon. Mbabazi presided over the event as the Chief Guest, representing H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President of the Republic of Uganda, and the Founding Chancellor of the KAPATU Project.
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by AdministratorKotido, Uganda – East Africa / November 23, 2025.
President Yoweri Museveni, represented by Prime Minister Emeritus Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi has officially unveiled the Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) project at a colourful ceremony which took place today, November 23rd, 2025, at Losilang, North Division, Kotido Municipality.
The unveiling of the project marks a historic milestone for education, peacebuilding, and socio-economic transformation in the Karamoja and Ateker regions. The ceremony, which began with a Holy Mass led by Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama was attended by thousands of residents, leaders, cultural representatives, and development partners, signalling renewed hope for a region long affected by insecurity and underdevelopment.
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi, who is also KAPATU’s Chief International Fundraiser, informed the ceremony that President Museveni had been unable to attend the function because he had scheduled engagements in Tororo and Kisoro.
Delivering President Museveni’s message, Rt. Hon. Mbabazi reaffirmed that the government is ready to support the university. He highlighted that KAPATU aligns with national development goals, especially in enhancing peace, skills development, and industrial growth.
President Museveni noted that the proposed university will serve as a cornerstone for restoring stability and empowering the youth in Karamoja. He also emphasised that education remains the strongest antidote to poverty, violence, and social breakdown.
In his own remarks, Rt. Hon. Mbabazi commended the President for deciding to make KAPATU a Nucleus National Public University, noting that the decision secures KAPATU’s sustainability and significance not only to the people of Karamoja but also to the Ateker region in general.
“I thank the Catholic Diocese of Kotido and Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI) for conceiving the idea. They sowed the seed that we are here today. As Chief International Fundraiser, I am encouraged by the progress already made. I stand ready to serve whenever and wherever because KAPATU’s goal is to become a globally recognised centre for peacebuilding, innovation and transformation,” he said.
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi said that the government’s commitment to transform Karamoja is a longstanding dream dating back to the bush-war times, where the transformation of this region was listed in the NRM/A 10-point program.
“Education has always been one of the most powerful tools for transformation. Karamoja today stands at a critical moment. This region holds immense natural and human potential, and yet it still faces several challenges like climate disasters, historical underinvestment in higher education, and poverty, among others,” he said, adding that KAPATU is designed as a strategic and transformative response which aligns very well with the National Development Plan and Human capital development goals.
“Above all, it reflects our national aspiration to ensure that no community is left behind. This university isn’t merely an institution of learning but an engine for regional transformation and a beacon of peace,” he said.
He said that as part of efforts to transform Karamoja, a total of over USD 200 million has already been secured to undertake two important projects in Karamoja, among which include a water project. This project, dubbed ‘KAPATU ERUPE Presidential Initiative’, seeks to channel water from Lake Bisina to Karamoja, covering all Ere (homesteads), Awi (Kraals) and Elein (trading centres) to boost agricultural production and productivity.
The establishment of KAPATU comes at a time when the Karamoja and Ateker region—despite their immense mineral wealth, potential for animal husbandry, and distinct cultural heritage—continue to face deep-rooted challenges, including pockets of cattle rustling, food insecurity, and limited access to social services. For decades, these issues have hindered the region’s socio-economic progress and left many communities marginalized. However, according to Mr. Charles Ichogor, the RDC Kotido, Karamoja is now generally peaceful and KAPATU has come at the right time.
The proposed university’s President, also the Bishop of Kotido Catholic Diocese Rt. Rev. Dominic Eibu MCCJ, said KAPATU is designed to be a hub of transformation.
“It aims to equip learners with 21st-century skills rooted in peace education, science and technology, human rights, and community resilience. KAPATU’s curriculum is structured not only to produce employable graduates, but also to rehabilitate, empower, and reintegrate communities affected by violence and cattle rustling,” Bishop Eibu said.
He commended the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni and His Excellency the President for their support to the Project, with his voice being re-echoed by the Vice Chancellor-designate, Rev. Fr. Prof. Callisto Locheng.
“President Museveni sent his own wife to come here and work. Who gives you his wife to come and work for you? It is someone who cares for you. So, the President’s efforts have not been in vain. The unearthing of the pen has not been in vain. The university is greatly on the right direction,” Prof. Locheng said, and commended all those who have contributed to KAPATU’s establishment to reach where it is now.
Hon. Loki Peter Abrahams, Member of Parliament for Jie Constituency, expressed optimism that the university would address both historical and emerging challenges in the region. He emphasized that KAPATU will serve as a unifying force that promotes peace and accelerates development.
“We will get formal and informal skills. By providing skills, KAPATU will enhance the consumption of services of the government like the Parish Development Model,” Hon. Lokii stated and pledged the full support of Karamoja legislators towards KAPATU’s success.
Hon. Lokii John Baptist, the NRM vice chairperson for Karamoja and MP Matheniko county, described the unveiling as historic because, as a region, Karamoja had never had a university, be it public or private. He said the coming of KAPATU will also reduce on distance children from Karamoja have been traveling in their quest for higher education in Central Uganda.
“Education is the foundation of progress. I appeal to the government to ensure full compulsory free primary and secondary education for Karamoja so that every child in here can have a strong start. Karamoja needs special consideration” He said.
In a notable gesture of reconciliation, Hon. Lokii reported that President Museveni, in a recent meeting with leaders from Karamoja in Soroti, expressed willingness to forgive and pardon the karachunas (youths) who were arrested over their involvement in cattle rustling and insecurity. This, he said, is an opportunity for them to rebuild their lives through education and constructive participation in community development.
“We are not here to condemn but to rebuild. Those willing to reform and embrace peace will be supported. KAPATU is a home for transformation.” He said, explaining that the President had indicated that he would begin by pardoning 900 Karacunas.
His remarks were met with applause from residents who hope that KAPATU will help break cycles of illiteracy and insecurity that have plagued the region for generations.
Kotido District Chairperson, Lote Paul, also commended President Museveni for championing the initiative, adding that the university reflects a strong commitment toward uplifting Karamoja’s future. He acknowledged the critical support of the Ethiopian government and other international stakeholders who collaborated on the project.
“Karamoja has suffered greatly, but this university is a beacon of hope,” Lote said. “It will significantly help in the fight against cattle rustling and open new opportunities for the people. Education and transformation go hand in hand, and we are grateful for this vision.”
The KAPATU Project takes a holistic approach that blends formal education with peace-building, health, human rights, psychosocial support, and modern science and technology. It aims to empower youth, women, former warriors, and vulnerable households to become self-reliant contributors to regional growth.
Experts believe that integrating technical skills and peace education will address long-standing causes of conflict, including unemployment, cultural misunderstandings, and a lack of economic alternatives. With Karamoja’s vast mineral deposits and livestock potential, the university is also expected to produce professionals capable of responsibly managing the region’s natural resources.
Meanwhile, Rev. Dr Mugisha Kagume, the Deputy Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education, informed the function that the Council has already received a formal request by KAPATU for a Provisional License to start teaching. He said already, NCHE granted the KAPATU Project a Letter of Interim Authority in 2024 to embark on infrastructure development, human resource mobilisation and other necessary aspects. He explained that the Council is considering the request for a Provisional License.
ABOUT KAPATU
KAPATU is a Nucleus National Public University established jointly by the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Kotido and Moroto, the Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI), headed by its president, Counsel Severino Twinobusingye, and the government of Uganda. With its main campus situated at Losilang, Kotido municipality (Karamoja). The initiative aims to foster peace and sustainable development in the region through education.
It was conceived in 2014 but actualised on 29th April, 2023, in a colourful ceremony at Nsambya presided over by H.E. the Vice President, Maj. Jessica Alupo, who represented H.E. the President. The KAPATU project is being overseen by a Strategic Leadership Committee comprising President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Chair/Founding Chancellor), Vice President Jessica Alupo (Founding Deputy Chancellor), and First Lady, also Minister for Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni.
The government has, in the FY2025/26, allocated Shs180bn for the university’s establishment following a special cabinet sitting on 16th December 2024, chaired by H.E. the President and also attended by H.E. the Vice President.
by AdministratorKampala, Uganda, East Africa/October 17, 2025
Vice President of the Republic of Uganda H.E Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel has met a team from Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) project at her office in Kampala. The team was led by Rt. Rev. Dominic Eibu MCCJ, the KAPATU President, and included among others KAPATU Council chairperson Counsel Twinobusingye Severino, DVCAA Prof. Annette Kezaabu and Hon. Lokii Peter Abrahams, the MP for Jie County-Kotido district.
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by AdministratorKampala, Uganda – East Africa / September 3, 2025.
The Karamoja Peace and Technology (KAPATU) Project leaders recently met the First Lady, also Minister for Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni, at State House-Nakasero to harmonise matters regarding the establishment of KAPATU as a Nucleus National Public University.
The team was led by Her Excellency, the Vice President, and also the KAPATU project Founding Deputy Chancellor/KAPATU project Chief Promoter, Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel.
During that meeting, which took place on 3rd September, 2025 and chaired by Hon. Janet Museveni, the KAPATU project team applauded her remarkable role towards the establishment of this proposed higher institution of learning in this region, noting that the University would accelerate socio-economic transformation of Karamoja.
In her remarks, H.E. Alupo commended the First Lady for the great opportunity accorded to the team to interact with her on this important matter of establishing Karamoja Peace and Technology University [KAPATU].
The Vice President thanked the First Lady for her endeavours in ensuring that the education sector continues to deliver services to all Ugandans, including the people of Karamoja.
Herself a former student of Kangole Girls Secondary School situated in Karamoja, H.E. Alupo and her team noted the emotional history between the First Lady and Karamoja, a region where she also served as its Minister, leaving a trail of success stories.
Meanwhile, the KAPATU project President, also Kotido Catholic Diocese Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dominic Eibu MCCJ also thanked the First Lady for calling for this important meeting, noting that KAPATU presents an opportunity to consolidate both the First Lady and H.E. the President’s vision of transforming the Karamoja region.
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In this regard, the team cited Maama Janet Museveni’s program of ‘Karamoja feeds Karamoja’, which has been very successful and has resulted in many children being kept in school as a result of her intervention.
The team also hailed Maama Janet for the several scholarships secured for Karamoja under the State House, which has produced 48 Human Medicine Doctors from this region.
The team also recalled a visit to neighbouring Kenya, where Maama Janet was accompanied by selected individuals from Karamoja. During that trip, communities from Turkana in Kenya, the Toposa in South Sudan and Nyangatong in Ethiopia were thrilled by the tremendous development in Karamoja and expressed their desire to emulate such development.
“KAPATU would give Karamoja a chance to lead development initiatives across these Ateker communities. It would also now present children from Karamoja with an opportunity to either complete their education cycle in the region or travel to other parts of the country for purposes of exposure,” Bishop Eibu and his team told the First Lady, adding that KAPATU seeks to impact communities across South Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia where Ateker communities are residing.
In her remarks, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni commended the KAPATU project team for the great work and said she was aware of a letter issued to the KAPATU Project by the National Council for Higher Education, granting it interim authority to operate for 3 years.
Maama Janet explained that this was meant to allow the KAPATU project team time to mobilise funds to acquire the requisite structural, academic and human resource infrastructure and any other activities to further develop the university.
The First Lady commended H.E the Vice President for following up on the President’s directive to convene a meeting bringing together all stakeholders to understand the issues and move the project forward.
She said that in accordance with the cabinet decision of 16th December 2024, H.E the President who accepted to be KAPATU Founding Chancellor, pledged UGX180Bn to support the commencement of the project in the current FY2025/26.
Mama Janet also noted that President Yoweri Museveni had also pledged Shs30bn as a one-off seed funding to enable the university to commence inception activities for its proposed opening in August 2026.
She also reported that KAPATU had been designated to start as a Public University for the Karamoja region with the Catholic Church as the foundation body.
This important meeting was also attended by Hon. Peter Ogwang, the minister of state for sports, Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, the Deputy Attorney General, Mr. Pius Biribonwoha, the Solicitor General, Mr. Ramathan Gggoobi, the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to Treasury, Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi, Ag Director Basic and Secondary Education, Ms Frances Atima, the Director Education Standards, Dr. Safina Museene, the Ag Director Higher Technical Vocational Education and Training, Mr. Timonthy Ssejjoba, Commissioner University Education and Training, Ms Irene Kauma, Under Secretary/Senior Private Secretary to the First Lady and Minister for Education and Sports, H.E Amb. Phillip Idro, Principal Advisor to CCOWC/SPAD-Chief Security-KAPATU and Hon. Akello Rose Lilly, the state minister for Ethics and Integrity/Vice Chairperson Council-KAPATU. Others who attended were Hon. Achia Remegio, MP Pian and Member of Council-KAPATU, Hon. Peter Lokii Abrahams, Chair KAPATU Transition Committee, Dr. Robert Lim Lim, Principal Technical Advisor-KAPATU, Counsel Severino Twinobusingye, Chairperson Council-KAPATU, Rev. Msgr. Paul Ngole, Vicar General, Moroto Diocese-Chief of PEPSKA KAPATU, Rev. Msgr. Daniel Nabuya, Vicar General of Kotido Diocese, Chief of PEPSKA KAPATU, Prof. Annette Kezaabu Deborah, Deputy Vice Chancellor AA and Ag. VC KAPATU, Prof. Msgr Phillip Lokel, University Chaplain-KAPATU, Mr. Henry Kyarimpa, University Secretary-KAPATU, Dr. Godfrey Omoda-Onyait, Principal Higher Education Officer, ILA, Dr. David Musiimaami, Principal Higher Education Officer-AMC, Dr. Betty Nambuusi Bukenya, Higher Education Officer, ILA and Mr. Joe Erem, Senior Assistant Secretary.
ABOUT KAPATU
KAPATU is a new Public University established jointly by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kotido, Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI), headed by its president, Counsel Severino Twinobusingye and the government of Uganda. With its main campus situated in Kotido municipality [Karamoja], the initiative aims to foster peace and sustainable development in the region through education.
It was conceived in 2014 but actualised on 29th April, 2023, in a colourful ceremony at Nsambya presided over by H.E. the Vice President, Maj. Jessica Alupo, who represented H.E. the President. The KAPATU project is being overseen by a Strategic Leadership Committee comprising President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (Chair/Founding Chancellor), Vice President Jessica Alupo (Founding Deputy Chancellor), and First Lady, also Minister for Education and Sports, Maama Janet Kataha Museveni.
The government has in this FY2025/26 allocated Shs180bn for the university’s establishment following a special cabinet sitting on 16th December 2024, chaired by H.E. the President and also attended by H.E. the Vice President.