MPs Advocate Dialogue to Resolve Karamoja University Accreditation Hurdles

Members of Parliament on the Education and Sports Committee have vowed to support the creation of Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU), even as the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) highlights compliance issues.

During a Thursday meeting at Parliament, NCHE Executive Director Prof. Mary Okwakol explained that the Catholic Church-initiated project lacks a provisional licence due to unmet guidelines under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act. She noted that private institutions cannot easily convert to public ones and that governance structures do not align with legal standards. Okwakol mentioned briefing top leaders like the Vice-President and President.

MPs, however, emphasized KAPATU’s role in boosting higher education access and fostering peace in Karamoja. Abim District Woman MP Hon. Janet Okori-Moe challenged NCHE’s stance, pointing to strong political support from high offices.

Committee chair Hon. James Kubeketerya called the initiative timely and urged resolving formalities without delay. He assigned Hon. Okori-Moe and IK County MP Hon. Hillary Lokwang to mediate with regional leaders and KAPATU backers.

Kubeketerya directed prioritizing KAPATU issues in upcoming talks with the Education Ministry during 2026/2027 budget scrutiny. He also backed NCHE’s call to revise overlapping laws like the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Act 2025.

The committee will engage ministry officials on Friday as part of ongoing policy statement reviews.

Source: Howwe Entertainment