By John Okello Lapok
Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) Limited has issued a powerful and unequivocal response to the National Council for Higher Education’s (NCHE) Executive Director, Prof. Mary J. N. Okwakol, following her recent disparaging comments before the Sectoral Committee on Education of the Ugandan Parliament. In a public address made on 9th April 2026, Prof. Okwakol claimed that KAPATU’s development had stalled due to its failure to meet accreditation guidelines and alleged that the university’s governance structure was not in line with legal requirements.
KAPATU is not holding back in challenging these false and malicious claims, asserting that they are part of a deliberate effort to derail the establishment of Uganda’s first university in Karamoja.
NCHE’s Executive Director Throws Wild Claims to Undermine KAPATU’s Progress
In an attempt to tarnish KAPATU’s reputation, Prof. Okwakol stated that the university project had been “stalled” because the proposed governance structures did not meet the National Council for Higher Education’s standards. This, she claimed, was a major roadblock preventing the university from gaining accreditation.
However, KAPATU strongly rejects these baseless allegations, accusing Prof. Okwakol and her associates within NCHE, the Ministry of Education (MoES), and the Attorney General’s Chambers of trying to sabotage the Karamoja university project. The promoters of KAPATU argue that these allegations are part of an ongoing campaign to undermine their efforts to bring higher education to one of Uganda’s most underserved regions.
KAPATU’s promoters have made it clear: “We are fully compliant with the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act Cap 262. This is not an issue of failure to meet the legal requirements; rather, it is an issue of political interference and malice.”
KAPATU Has Exceeded NCHE’s Requirements—No Room for Doubt
The promoters of KAPATU are leaving no stone unturned in their defense. They point out that KAPATU has already fulfilled and exceeded the conditions set out by NCHE in its Letter of Interim Authority issued in April 2024. The university has mobilized a significant amount of funds, secured over 150 acres of land for expansion, and already established a number of essential infrastructure facilities—including a fully functional library, lecture halls, staff accommodation, and even a police post. The construction of the administration block is 42% complete, and UGX 10 billion has already been allocated for this purpose from the funds donated by President Museveni himself.
The promoters further stress that KAPATU’s application for a Provisional Licence was made on 27th October 2025, and the university was vetted by NCHE. The findings from this vetting confirmed that KAPATU met all the requirements necessary for the granting of a provisional license. Yet, Prof. Okwakol continues to propagate a false narrative that KAPATU has not complied with NCHE’s guidelines.
“It is clear that the NCHE’s Executive Director has misled both the public and key stakeholders, including H.E. the President and members of Parliament, about the university’s compliance with accreditation standards. This is not only misleading but a calculated attempt to create doubt and delay,” KAPATU said in their response.
The Religious and Legal Foundations of KAPATU Are Solid—No Room for Dispute
In addition to the false allegations regarding governance, Prof. Okwakol claimed that the Catholic Church’s involvement as a foundation body for KAPATU was somehow illegal. KAPATU is firmly pushing back on this accusation, highlighting that the Church’s role in founding the university is not only legitimate but also backed by law. Under Section 27(m) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, the Catholic Church is fully entitled to participate in founding a university.
The promoters also emphasize the legal basis for the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church’s authority in establishing the university. Canon Law, particularly Canon 807, grants the Bishop jurisdiction to act on behalf of the Diocese in establishing educational institutions, including universities.
“The NCHE’s Executive Director’s suggestion that the Catholic Church cannot play a foundational role is not only wrong but shows a clear lack of understanding of both Ugandan law and Canon Law. The Catholic Church has every right to establish KAPATU, just as any other religious institution in Uganda,” KAPATU reiterated in their statement.
Accreditation Dispute! A Political Game?
The heart of this conflict is the accreditation dispute between KAPATU and the NCHE. KAPATU’s promoters assert that the issue is not about whether the university meets the required standards, but about intentional delays and political interference aimed at blocking the establishment of the university. The fact that the university has already met the legal requirements, raised significant funding, and mobilized key infrastructure, only to be stalled by a series of unjustified barriers, has led many to suspect that the motives behind these delays go beyond legal considerations.
“We are dealing with a deliberate attempt to derail a noble project. The Karamoja region has waited far too long for a university that will provide education and development to an otherwise underserved area. The false claims made by the NCHE’s Executive Director are a clear attempt to delay the process for reasons that are not in the public’s interest,” KAPATU’s response concluded.
KAPATU’s Call for Action: No More Delays
In light of the ongoing accreditation dispute, KAPATU has called on all relevant stakeholders, including President Museveni, Parliament, and the Ugandan public, to stand in support of the Karamoja university project. They have also urged the National Council for Higher Education to act fairly and support the timely accreditation of KAPATU. The university’s promoters are determined to bring higher education to the Karamoja region and remain committed to meeting all necessary requirements to secure full accreditation.
“The Karamoja Peace and Technology University project is not just about building a university; it’s about changing the lives of the people in Karamoja and Uganda at large. We will not allow falsehoods and political games to stop us. The time for Karamoja to have its first university is now.”
Conclusion: A University for the People of Karamoja—KAPATU Will Not Be Stopped
KAPATU’s promoters are resolute in their mission to establish Uganda’s first university in the Karamoja region. They are calling for an end to the unjust delays caused by the NCHE’s Executive Director and her unsubstantiated claims. The people of Karamoja deserve access to quality higher education, and KAPATU is determined to make that dream a reality.
Signed by Twinobusingye Severino President, Catholic Lawyers Society International, 3rd University Vice President and Chair Council, KAPATU
