KAPATU rejects NCHE claims, cite compliance with accreditation requirements

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The promoters of Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) have pushed back against claims by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) that the institution failed to meet accreditation requirements, describing the assertions as false and misleading.

The response follows remarks by NCHE Executive Director Mary Okwakol before the Parliamentary Committee on Education on April 9, where she said the project had stalled after failing to meet accreditation guidelines.

Okwakol told legislators that KAPATU’s proposed governance structures fall short of legal requirements and that the Catholic Church-founded initiative was seeking public university status, which is not permitted. She also said the promoters had resisted advice to apply for a private university accreditation.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, April 13, by Severino Twinobusingye, the 3rd University Vice President and Chair of the Council, KAPATU, rejected the claims, insisting the project is being implemented in line with the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act.

“The promoters of KAPATU take very strong exception to these false allegations,” the statement reads, adding that they have complied with all conditions attached to the Letter of Interim Authority issued by NCHE in April 2024.

KAPATU says it has mobilised substantial resources, including funding, land and infrastructure, which it argues exceed the minimum requirements for establishing a university.

The statement further reads that an NCHE verification team assessed the project and confirmed that the requirements for a provisional licence had been met, also disputing claims that they rejected private university status, stating that KAPATU applied for a provisional licence as a private institution in October 2025.

“It is therefore disingenuous for Prof. Mary J. N. Okwakol to state before Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, that KAPATU has refused to become a private institution,” the statement adds.

On the role of the Catholic Church, the promoters argue that the law permits its participation in founding a university, contrary to Okwakol’s remarks.

MPs pledge support

Members of Parliament on the Education Committee pledged to support the establishment of the university despite the concerns raised by the regulator.

Committee chairperson James Kubeketerya said the proposal for a Karamoja-based university is timely but emphasised the need to resolve outstanding issues, while Abim District Woman MP Janet Okori-Moe questioned NCHE’s position, citing the project’s backing by the President.

Kubeketerya tasked Okori-Moe and IK County MP, Hillary Lokwang, to engage regional leaders and KAPATU promoters to harmonise positions and facilitate a smooth transition of the project into a fully-fledged university.