education 4 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Urges Kabale District to Grant More Land to University
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has implored the Kabale District Local Government to allocate additional land to Kabale University, citing ambitious government expansion plans for the institution. This call comes after previous attempts by the university to secure more land for development have been unsuccessful. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/tayebwa-asks-kabale-district-to-expand-university-land-5584350
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has urged the Kabale District Local Government to consider expanding the land allocated to Kabale University. This request is driven by significant government plans for the university’s growth, which Tayebwa believes will be instrumental in boosting Kabale municipality once it attains city status.
Kabale University was initially established on 52 acres donated by the district in 2001. However, the university’s subsequent efforts to acquire more land for its planned 50-year development have been met with challenges. Outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joy Kwesiga, highlighted that repeated discussions with district leaders had failed to secure the necessary parcels of land on Kikungiri Hill.
Tayebwa emphasized that the government is prepared to invest further in the university, provided it has adequate space for expansion. He suggested that Kabale University has the potential to accommodate around 40,000 students, which would bring substantial benefits to the local community. He also proposed that the university could serve as the teaching hospital for Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to enhance healthcare services.
During her 21-year tenure as Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kwesiga oversaw significant growth, including an increase in student enrollment from 42 to approximately 8,000 and a budget expansion from Shs200 million to Shs70 billion. She also played a key role in the university obtaining its operational license and charter, and its subsequent government takeover in 2015. The university was recently ranked fourth among Ugandan universities.
Kabale District LCV Vice Chairperson Hellen Prima Kemaanzi reaffirmed the district’s commitment to collaborating with the university on development initiatives. University officials praised Prof. Kwesiga for her contributions, with staff presenting her with Shs123 million as a token of appreciation.