The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has directed the halting of operations at Great Lakes Regional University in Kanungu District to allow investigations into the institution to take place without interference.
According to a letter dated November 23rd 2021, and signed by the Executive Director of National Council for Higher Education Prof Mary Okwakol, the Bushura based University was ordered to close by midday tomorrow 24th November 2021.
According to Prof Okwakol, the decision to close the campus for one month was reached yesterday in a meeting to establish compliance by the university.
Some of the noncompliance issues she said, were based on contestation of the ownership, poor management and governance and other issues.
“Please be informed that the decision to halt the operation at the University is to enable National Council of Education conduct thorough investigations into the issues discussed in the meeting that took place November 22nd 2021 in accordance with Section 5(f) of the Universities and Other Institutions Act 2001 (Amended),” The letter reads in parts.
Prof Okwakol directed that in this circumstances, the management, staff, and students must vacate the University premises by 12 noon on Wednesday 24th November 2021, and should only return when National Council for Higher Education communicates clearing the operations at the University to resume.
The letter that was copied to Minister of Education and Sports, the Minister of State for Higher Education, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Education, Chairperson NCHE, RDC Kanungu, DPC Kanungu, Dr Hamlet Mbabazi Kabushenga and Honest Wikins Natukwasa, requested the RDC to provide security to the premises.
The closure follows contestation of the ownership of the Great Lakes Regional University between Honest Wilkins Natukwasa and Dr Hamlet Mbabazi Kabushenga.
The matter is currently in courts of law.
