On Monday, March 25, 2024, Kyambogo University officially received Paidha Primary Teachers’ College from the Ministry of Education and Sports during a handover ceremony at Paidha Primary Teachers’ College in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District.

The ceremony was graced by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Kyambogo University, Zombo District Local Government, and Cultural and Religious Leaders from the Alur Kingdom.

As the Ministry takes steps towards implementing the National Teacher Policy, the Ministry of Education and Sports decided to reconstitute Paidha PTC into a Campus of Kyambogo University. This will enable access to quality tertiary education, particularly for teachers wishing to upgrade.

Ms Margaret Aluka, the principal of Paidha PTC and the Chairperson of the Board of Governors
Ms. Margaret Aluka, the principal of Paidha PTC and the Chairperson of the Board of Governors, Mr.  Jalwiny Solomon handing over the college to the Assistant Commissioner of Teacher Education in the Ministry of Education and sports, Mr. Max Okiro

 

The Vice Chairperson of the University Council, Counsel Sarah Lubega receiving the college from the official from the Ministry of Education and sports in charge of Universities’ training.
The Vice Chairperson of the University Council, Counsel Sarah Lubega, handing over the files of the college to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Eli Katunguka

During the handover, Zombo district LC5 chairperson Mr. James Oruna Oyullu encouraged parents to embrace this great opportunity to nurture future leaders of the Alur Kingdom. He added that this would cut the cost of travelling, feeding, and accommodation in Kampala. He urged the public to mobilise students to join the university study centre, ensuring a conducive learning environment. The district leadership will team up with the university to ensure a conducive learning environment,” Oyullu said

Ms. Margaret Aluka, the principal of the repurposed college, handed over the inventories of the institution to the immediate supervising body of the Teacher Education, Training and Development Centre, Ministry of Education and Sports, represented by Assistant Commissioner Mr. Max Okiroi. “It has been a long-awaited day since the government announced the phasing out of the non-core colleges nationwide. we want to hand over this college to Kyambogo University today,” Aluka stressed. 

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Board of Governor Paidha Primary Teachers College, Mr.  Jalwiny Solomon, described the college as the pride of Alur land.

“We had several meetings with officials from the Education ministry since 2022, and we are happy to handover the college, which is a pride of Alur land, to Kyambogo University”, he said

The Member of Parliament for Okoro Constituency, Hon Gabriel Okumu, called upon the varsity’s management to roll out programs exploiting Zombo’s potential as an agricultural district and food basket. “Organise for vocational and very marketable courses, such that we don’t produce job seekers in this food basket for Northern Uganda,” Okumu noted. He said this is an effort to achieve higher education in greater Nebbi. He appealed to the parents and guardians to save for their education and be able to take their children to the University.

Additionally, Kermit Emmanuel Angiya II, the clan chief of Paidha Chiefdom, requested the University to offer four scholarships for students in the chiefdom to benefit from education in the area.

The King of Alur Kingdom, Phillip Rauni Ularker III, in his speech delivered by the Prime Minister of Alur Kingdom, Prince Vincent Ocaya, asked for scholarships for five girls and five boys in the entire Kingdom across the districts of Pakwach, Nebbi, and Zombo. He also urged the district security committee to ensure peace in the area. 

The Deputy RDC of Zombo District, Ms Grace Atim, appealed to the University to employ indigenous people, especially in employment areas.

The Former state minister of Energy, Hon. Simon D’janga, called upon the media to give positive publicity to the long-awaited University, further urging communities across the West Nile region to send more learners in full support of the University.

The Assistant Commissioner of Teacher Education in the Ministry of Education and sports, Mr. Max Okiro, urged the University Management to work with Zombo district stakeholders for smooth operationalization. 

The vice chancellor of Kyambogo University, Prof. Eli Katunguka, commended the Alur Kingdom and the local leaders for their support, urging the community to take full charge of the University. He added that they will work with the locals to achieve the goals in West Nile and the entire country. The centre became the third established by Kyambogo University after Soroti Learning Centre in Eastern Uganda, Bushenyi Learning Centre in Western Uganda and now Paidha for the Northern region.

The Vice Chairperson of the University Council, Counsel Sarah Lubega, represented the Chairperson at the Official handover of the college. She said that as Council, they would ensure policies are aligned and continue fulfilling the oversight role. She asked for continued support from the district leaders and the community. She assured the public that the University would meet its regional objectives.

The coming in of Kyambogo University in greater Nebbi is being viewed by many people as a great opportunity since the region has not had a university institution.

The established study centre is expected to transform the lives of community members by creating various business opportunities, such as rentals, food vending, and Internet services. It is also expected to foster infrastructural development in the area and improve living standards.