Kasese district has received its first private university with the hope that it will fix the higher education challenges in the region. Rwenzori International University-RIU- is the brainchild of Dr. Nathaniel Mumbere Walemba, a senior educationist together with three others.
The university received letters of Interim Authority from the National Council for Higher Education in 2019 and got its provisional license this year. RIU has begun with several programs including Information Technology, Agric- Business and Agriculture Economics, Education, Tourism, Early Childhood Development, and Education and peace and conflict management studies among others offered at certificate, diploma, and degree levels.
Dr. Walemba says the university is aiming to offer an education that is tailored to addressing the social-economic challenges in the Rwenzori region, adding that easy access to high education will certainly improve lives. He added that as technology is advancing, the world needs to prepare the future generation for the task.
Dr. Walemba says that previous conflicts in the region have retarded the education sector and he believes that the university will help the region catch up with other areas.
Alex Ruhunda, the Fort Portal City MP thinks the region needs more universities to be able to cater to hundreds of qualified candidates seeking university admission. Rhonda says this University has all the potentials to attract students from DR. Congo that recently joined the East African community.
Geoffrey Kabwanga, the State minister for ICT and national guidance, says courses that are tailored to meet local needs makes RIU unique. He is optimistic that such a university elevates the standards of Kasese as a district but hastened to add that its success will depend on the support from both the local leadership and the entire community.
Paul Katukwire, 29, a freelance journalist in Kasese who has been having hopes of joining a university told URN that the university offer’s him the opportunity to study while he is working. He also adds that a number of children from less privileged families have been unable to meet the cost of studying in Kampala.
Phiona Baguma, a senior six finalist, says children from less privileged families will also have the chance to fulfill their university education dreams.
Kasese had its first secondary school-Saad Memorial Secondary School- in 1974 and it was not until the 1980’s that the district recorded its first known three graduates.
Admirers of the institution say for a long period both parents and students from less privileged families have been struggling to meet the cost of higher education elsewhere.
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