Stakeholders and educationists in Bunyoro have expressed frustration over the government's failure to fulfill its 2011 pledge to establish a public university in the region.
They argue that the prolonged delay has forced many students to abandon their education due to the high costs of studying elsewhere.
Professor Samuel Kyamanywa, head of the Bunyoro University task force, attributes the delay to land disputes and disagreements between the Ministry of Education, the National Council for Higher Education, and local leaders over the university’s location.
"We have over five pieces of land, but technical advice and political considerations have led to conflicting views on where the university should be established. The Minister of Education has called on the National Council for Higher Education to guide on the matter," he said.
Since President Yoweri Museveni’s initial promise during the 2011 general elections, local leaders have grown impatient, warning that the continued delay could erode political support for the ruling party in the region.
"The promise has been around for a long time. People are tired now. If this is not actualized soon, we in the NRM will have issues in the upcoming elections. MPs, ministers, and the prime minister must step in and make this happen," said politician Mustafa Kahuma.
Kikuube Resident District Commissioner Amlan Tumusiime noted that many students drop out after Senior Six because they cannot afford university education outside Bunyoro.
"If we had the university here, students wouldn’t have to travel to Kampala, Mbarara, or Fort Portal. All stakeholders must come together to make this happen," he said.
Hoima City Woman MP Nyakato Asinansi blamed the region’s ministers and MPs for failing to push the agenda forcefully.
"If we had enough voices demanding the university, it would have already come. Sometimes I wonder why we have ministers and a prime minister who can’t even influence the establishment of Bunyoro University," she said.
Despite the deadlock, Prof Kyamanywa revealed that substantial groundwork has already been laid.
"We have developed 19 educational programs, nine of which have been approved by the National Council for Higher Education. Architectural designs and university policies are ready. But the big question remains—where are we going to teach from? We hope the land issue is resolved before the end of February so we can start with three schools," he added.
State Minister for Bunyoro Affairs, Janepher Namuyangu, urged the region to focus on preparing local students to meet university standards.
"We have institutions like Kigumba Petroleum Institute, Nyabyeya Forestry College, and Kabalye Police Training School, yet they are mostly attended by non-Banyoro," she said.
"We know this will be a public university, but Banyoro should be the first beneficiaries. Beyond education, people can also benefit from opportunities in rent, food, and transport."
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija recently announced that 22 billion shillings had been allocated to kick-start the establishment of both Bunyoro and Busoga universities.
While Busoga University has been approved by Parliament, Bunyoro University remains stalled, with no Act of Parliament yet in place to support its implementation.