Introduction
The long awaited Soroti
University of Science and Technology has been launched and the task force who
are mandated to steer the University has been inaugurated.
This follows a decision by
the president to grant the Teso sub region a public university.
This decision was taken on
the 11th September 2011 and was followed by a written approval on
March 2012.
This development enabled the
Minister of Education and Sports to look for persons to form the task force.
The following were appointed
as members of the task force:-
1) Professor Ikoja Odongo John Robert ( Vice Chancellor)
2) Mr. Too-Okema Lawrence (Deputy Vice Chancellor)
3) Ms. Achimo Ruth Etibot (University Secretary)
4) Mr. Okello James Gregory ( Academic Registrar)
5) Mr. Ilemukorit Stephen (Administrative Assistant)
During the inauguration
ceremony which took place on Tuesday amidst heavy rain which people called it a
blessing, The Minister of Education and Sports Major Jessica Alupo announced
the grant of 2Billion towards the university support from government.
The Minister was welcomed by
the chairman LCV and other distinguished guests arrived at round 11.30 in a
procession led by Zebra brass band and school children which made the day
colorful.
The Minister was also
welcomed by Ojebe Samuel a renowned musician of Aukot Gweri in his song
“Eyamainos aiyamain” amidst happiness and jubilations from the audience.
The prayer was led by
Anglican Bishop of Soroti Diocese George Michael Erwau who asked God to grant
the new task force the ability to construct a university in Teso for better
services, health and wealth for all and the students who will study there in
future.
Speeches
The LCI Of the area said
there were no more disputes for land, adding that it’s time for development
through education. His speech was closed with Ekiriakiria dance.
The next speech was by the
LCV chairman. In his laconic speech Soroti LC5 Chairman Michael Egunyu asked for
unity not division in order to promote education in Teso sub-region. He praised
the task force installed.
He lamented why people get
divided and don’t like one another that before you are loved you must like
others as well.
The RDC of Soroti Mr. Ben Etonu
who was very enthusiastic said that it was a very important day in the history
of Teso sub region because the issue has been dragging on and on for so long.
“Get united for success, because Teso was well
known for supporting education which should continue. He said he nearly missed
the university but its good it has come when he is in power as RDC.
He said he was happy with
the government to recognize us and given us a university. He called for people
to be united not divided.
He requested for the recognition
of Bishop Ilukor, Professor Omaswa, and the late Obwangor for their tireless
efforts in establishing the university.
He requested that the first
block be named Obwangor in his memory.
The woman MP of Soroti in
her speech said that education is the most important tool one can use for that
development she called for more women to join Soroti University. She said Teso
is least represented in the university administration. “We are now in the
middle of the lake crying for sponsorship of our children Osege said”.
In her maiden speech, the
Minister for Teso Affairs Ms Christine Amongin Aporu commended his excellency
president Yoweri Museveni for his tireless efforts in initializing Soroti
university which she said was a spirited support and a landmark history in
Teso,
Amongin
who was very happy with the NRM government efforts in supporting education
noted that NRM is on the course to support the university education in Teso
beginning with Science
If
Uganda is to ensure competitiveness in the global market, Amongin said. She
requested for the task force to be based in Soroti but not in a remote
accommodation, adding that the construction must be finished before the next
elections. She amused the audience when she said that “Not and not everything
that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts” I
want a university that counts as an important house of knowledge. She said she
was committed to working with the Soroti university task force .I am at the
disposal of Professor Ikoja to do the work, am committed to working with all
the members of the task force. She suggested that courses such as irrigation,
medicine, water and science should be introduced.
The
chief quest at the ceremony Hon Jesca Alupo, Minister of Education and Sports
announced government plans in providing public universities for all Ugandans.
This is the 8th public university where government contributed 2
billion a start Alupo said.
This
university is not for children only but also for old mummies to go school and
study masters and PhDs like us. She told the task force to do their work well
for prosperity in order to remain substantive leaders.
Alupo
congratulated the NRM government for establishing a university in Teso and its
leadership in Soroti that NRM government
is thinking of planning for the young people as future leaders of the
country and therefore they must study
she said.
She
equally welcomed the government’s role in this university adding that the first
students will study the next academic year.
Mininister
Alupo said that she cherishes government policies in promoting science and
technology adding that we start small but gradually grow big.
With
the coming of this university and it is difficult for me to come back to sing
the same song in the same area which has been sang for ages Alupo said in
proverbs.
She
also brought good news from president Museveni saying “I now write to you to
start preparatory work in the construction of Soroti university of science and
Technology.(SUST) in Teso sub region in two areas of medicine and engineering.
In addition to electrical engineering Museveni said, what matters the quality
not the quantity, Alupo is quoted Museveni as saying. If Dar es Salaam started with13 students and
Makerere with14 students in 1922 why not Soroti university?
Alupo
advised the task force to think and plan for SUST. She further advised the
university to come down to short courses even if they learn how to be a
cobbler. Please come and learn skills here at Soroti University. She called for
reform for courses that will be offered.
The
Minister said that government has allocated 30 billion shillings to benefit
us from the scholarship scheme in the
Ministry of Education and Sports .we are now in transit programs we look
forward for Iteso people to benefit from
the state house scholarships. She further said that we who stay near the river
benefit from the source of water, but those who live after benefit from the
dew. I have commissioned the task force and president Museveni will commission
the buildings the minister said.
The
Chairman of the task force Professor Ikoja on behalf of his team accepted the
appointment of his team and pledged on their behalf to work very hard and as a
team consult extensively with various stakeholders on how to proceed with the
university.
He
noted that a good university should impart skills in the community and that our
aim should be to change Soroti University through quality research work.
The
Chairperson also presented to the Minister the financial estimates plus the
architectural drawings and the bill of quantities for the completion of the
building started by the Iteso elders.
He
requested the government to honor the bill of quantities (BOQ) for Soroti
University amounting to 15 billion Uganda shillings.
He
thanked the people of Teso and the region at large for persistently pressing
for the university. He also thanked the president of Uganda for his approval
and all those present during the inauguration ceremony.
Activity
The activities involved the clearing and preparing the site for the
function. Several Meetings were held with stake holders especially District
Local council, Soroti municipal council staff, prisons, police and students to
prepare for the Inauguration.
Event
The event took place near Teso College Aloet the proposed university
Ground. It was presided over by the Minister of education and supported
by
Other members of parliament and stakeholders of the region.
Program
The program went on smoothly and was blessed by the rain.
Entertainment
The quests were entertained by the cultural dancers, the Ekiriakiria
Group
from Usuk, Ojebe Sam with his Akogo group, a student from
Soroti
SSS with his Zulu dance, a poem by one student of Teso College
Aloet,
a play depicting the opening up of Soroti University by students
from
Soroti S.SS.
Visitors
Visitors came from all over Uganda. Most
private and public institutions
Were
represented.
Conclusion
The
event was successful and well attended.
Courtesy of North Eastern Media Peace Initiative (NEMPI-Organization)
nempi2006.pressclub@yahoo.com
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