On November 23, 2025, Karamoja entered a new chapter of hope and opportunity with the official launch of Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) in Losilang, Kotido. Despite President Yoweri Museveni being unable to attend due to other commitments, Prime Minister Emeritus Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi delivered a powerful message on behalf of the President, reaffirming the government’s unwavering support for the university and its potential to transform the region. The ceremony, which included a mass led by Archbishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama, was attended by thousands of residents, local leaders, and development partners, all united in the belief that KAPATU will ignite lasting change in Karamoja.
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi, who also serves as the Chief International Fundraiser for KAPATU, emphasized the university’s critical role in the region’s development. He highlighted that KAPATU is not just an academic institution but a beacon of hope, peace, and progress for Karamoja and the Ateker region. With its focus on peace-building, technology, and innovation, the university aims to address the region’s most pressing challenges, including insecurity, poverty, and limited access to education. By equipping the youth with the necessary skills, KAPATU will empower them to play an active role in reshaping the region’s future.
The establishment of KAPATU comes at a crucial moment for Karamoja, a region blessed with abundant natural resources but burdened by decades of conflict and underdevelopment. Local leaders, such as Kotido’s RDC, Mr. Charles Ichogor, expressed optimism that KAPATU will play a central role in stabilizing the region and fostering socio-economic development. KAPATU’s curriculum, which blends peace education with modern technology and community resilience, is designed to equip students with the tools they need to break free from cycles of violence and build a more prosperous future for themselves and their communities.
Bishop Dominic Eibu of Kotido Catholic Diocese, who is set to become the first president of KAPATU, spoke passionately about the university’s mission to produce not only skilled professionals but also leaders who will drive social change and reconciliation in Karamoja. He emphasized that KAPATU’s unique approach, which integrates peace-building with education, will help students understand and address the root causes of conflict in their communities. Rev. Fr. Prof. Callisto Locheng, the Vice Chancellor-designate, echoed these sentiments, stressing that KAPATU is a collaborative effort involving local, national, and international partners, all working together for the region’s long-term development.
Local politicians, including Hon. Loki Peter Abrahams, MP for Jie Constituency, also expressed strong support for KAPATU. Hon. Abrahams highlighted that the university will address both the educational gap and high unemployment rates in Karamoja. By providing young people with quality education and technical skills, KAPATU will help drive the region’s economic growth and reduce poverty. In a powerful gesture of reconciliation, Hon. Abrahams shared that President Museveni had announced plans to pardon 900 Karacunas, youth involved in cattle rustling, offering them a chance to reintegrate into society through education and community involvement.
For the people of Karamoja, KAPATU represents a long-awaited opportunity to access higher education without leaving the region. Historically, many young people from Karamoja had to travel to central Uganda for university studies, often facing financial and logistical challenges. With the establishment of KAPATU, students can now pursue their academic dreams closer to home, enabling them to contribute to the development of their own communities. Hon. Lokii John Baptist, NRM vice-chairperson for Karamoja, called the launch historic, noting that this marks the first time the region will have its own public university.
Kotido District Chairperson Lote Paul praised the establishment of KAPATU, calling it a “beacon of hope” for the future of Karamoja. He highlighted that KAPATU will do more than provide education; it will help address the region’s deep-rooted issues of conflict and poverty. By combining academic training with peace-building initiatives, KAPATU will contribute to fostering unity, economic growth, and sustainable development. Lote also acknowledged the vital support from international partners, including the Ethiopian government, who played a key role in making the university’s vision a reality.
KAPATU is designed to be more than just a university—it is a comprehensive solution to the challenges facing Karamoja. Its focus on peace-building, technology, human rights, and sustainable development ensures that graduates will be equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with the practical skills to address the region’s social and economic challenges. With its unique approach, KAPATU will empower youth, women, former warriors, and vulnerable communities to become active participants in the region’s transformation.
With over $200 million already secured for projects like the KAPATU ERUPE Presidential Initiative, which aims to bring water from Lake Bisina to Karamoja, the university is positioned to play a central role in the region’s broader development agenda. As KAPATU opens its doors to the first cohort of students, it stands as a powerful symbol of hope, education, and transformation, offering Karamoja a brighter, more prosperous future.
