Ankole University short of lecture rooms
A section of buildings housing Ankole Western university. File photo
What you need to know:
- Dr Ainomugisha said when he took over leadership last year, he found the university indebted to the tune of Shs3.6 billion , which they have managed to clear.
The administration of Ankole Western University has said it will be forced to erect tents in the compound come February next year when the next academic term opens to work as students’ lecture rooms.
Dr Andrew Ainomugisha, the vice chancellor, said if no money is raised by February 2025 to complete the construction of the main block, they will have no option but to erect tents where the students will temporarily attend lectures.
“We do not have lecture spaces, we are using the chapel where big classes are being taught. Come January, I will be forced to erect two 100-seater tents outside to accommodate all students and this will be embarrassing,” he said.
Dr Ainomugisha was speaking at a crisis meeting convened last week by well-wishers to raise funds to support operations of the Church of Uganda-affiliated university.
Mr Richard Kaijuka, the meeting convener, said when he turned 80 years last year, he offered to roof and tile a five-storey building at the university. This was after learning that the institution was to teach agricultural sciences, which has seen its enrolment surge from 400 students to more than 2,250 students.
“The five-storey building block project has been on since 2016. Enrolment had gone down, but we thank the vice chancellor, who came up with innovative ways and proposals that have made a difference,” Mr Kaijuka, also a former minister in the current government, said.
“The focus now is on raising money so that come January 2025, there is no embarrassment,” he added.
Dr Ainomugisha said when he took over leadership last year, he found the university indebted to the tune of Shs3.6 billion , which they have managed to clear.
He said the university had statutory obligations to the National Social Security Fund, Uganda Revenue Authority, and several unpaid bank loans.
But one year down the road, the vice chancellor said they are optimistic about getting accreditation from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) to operate as an agricultural university. He said they have already secured 50 percent of the money they need to fulfill requirements by NCHE.
Mr Robert Tumwijukye, the organizing secretary of the fundraising committee for the construction, said they have so far secured about Shs100 million in cash and pledges.
He said they are going to continue engaging individuals and corporate entities in the area to contribute towards the completion of the building.
