Parliament Approves UGX 30bn for Karamoja Peace and Technology University

Parliament has approved a proposal to allocate UGX 30 billion to the Ministry of Education and Sports for the establishment of Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU), in fulfilment of a pledge made by President Yoweri Museveni.

The approval followed the presentation of the 2026/27 National Budget Framework Paper by Remigio Achia, Vice Chairperson of Parliament’s Budget Committee, in January 2026. Achia reported that although the presidential pledge amounted to UGX 30 billion as start-up funding for the university in FY 2025/2026, only UGX 10 billion was released, leaving a balance of UGX 20 billion that has not yet been provided for in FY 2026/2027.

“The Committee recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Finance, commit to fulfilling all presidential pledges, with earlier unfulfilled pledges taking priority. We therefore recommend that the Ministry of Finance allocate the outstanding UGX 20 billion towards the construction of Karamoja Peace and Technology University as pledged by the President,” Achia said.

The Kotido Roman Catholic Diocese, together with the Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI), working jointly with the Government of the Republic of Uganda, is spearheading the establishment of KAPATU.

The main campus of the KAPATU project is located at Christ the King Catholic Parish, Losilang, North Division, Kotido Municipality, Kotido District, Karamoja Region, Uganda.

On 23 November 2025, President Museveni, represented by former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, officially unveiled the KAPATU project at Losilang. The launch was described as a historic milestone for education, peacebuilding, and socio-economic transformation in the Karamoja and Ateker regions.

The ceremony, which began with a Holy Mass led by John Baptist Odama, was attended by thousands of residents, political leaders, cultural representatives, and development partners, signalling renewed hope for a region long affected by insecurity and underdevelopment.

Delivering President Museveni’s message, Mbabazi, who also serves as KAPATU’s Chief International Fundraiser, reaffirmed government’s commitment to the university, noting that the project aligns with national development goals, particularly in peacebuilding, skills development, and industrial growth.

President Museveni further noted that the proposed university is expected to play a critical role in restoring stability and empowering young people in Karamoja, emphasising that education remains a key tool in addressing poverty, violence, and social breakdown.