Parliament has approved three new public universities as government is put on task to explain the criteria used to recommend only the three universities and leaving out others. The new public universities have been approved after thorough scrutiny by the National Council for Higher Education. The approved universities include Kabale University in Kabale District, Lira University in Lira District and Soroti University in Soroti District.

The Minister for Education Jessica Alupo said that the new universities will equitably expand higher education to undergraduate and post graduate levels and develop human resources appropriate for the transformation and development of Uganda. She said that these universities will provide teaching and learning to all students admitted to the universities and to undertake basic and applied research critical to national development and to stimulate skills development in Uganda.

The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Professor Togboa Tikodri said that these universities will commence in teaching and research of programmes in I.C.T, public health, medicine, engineering science, teacher education, agriculture among others. He said that with a view to bridge the much needed skills gap in science and technology, it is anticipated that these universities will play a key role in developing our communities and transforming our societies towards achieving our vision 2040.

The Woman MP for Napak district Naomi Nyomera said that government should consider creating a public university in Karamoja region so that the region moves together with the others in terms of education standards. Members of Parliament also urged government to create Namasagali, Bunyoro, Rwenzori and Karamoja public universities.

The Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda says government supports access to education; it supports universities creation in all parts of the country. He said that both universities shall be established in the financial year 2017/18 to have viable public universities after being evaluated by the National Council for Higher Education.

He added that even other areas like Rwenzori and Karamoja regions will be examined for public universities