IGANGA GETS UNIVERSITY! Cabinet Approves Shs90bn Plan

Cabinet has approved a proposal to establish Iganga University as a public university in the Busoga Sub- region.
The decision was announced by the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, on Monday while communicating Cabinet decisions taken on October 5, 2026.

Cabinet directed the Minister of Education and Sports to work with the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to prepare the legal instrument required to establish the university.

The Education Minister will then seek Parliament’s approval for the institution.

Cabinet also directed the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to provide Shs89.998 billion to facilitate the establishment and initial operations of the university.

Once established, Iganga University will bring together campuses inherited from the former Busoga University in Bugiri, Namutumba, Bugabula and Jinja.

The Minister said that Namasagali will become a constituent college of the proposed university, focusing on marine and fisheries studies.

The move follows government’s takeover of assets of the former Busoga University as part of efforts to establish a public university serving the Busoga sub-region.

The former Busoga University operated as a private institution before its licence was revoked by the National Council for Higher Education.

If approved by Parliament and legally established, Iganga University would become Uganda’s 12th public university in addition to 44 private universities operating in the country.

Meanwhile, Cabinet also approved the ratification of amendments relating to the use of French and Kiswahili within the East African Community, following decisions taken at the EAC Summit.

The move is part of Uganda’s process of formally accepting changes agreed by EAC partner states.
The EAC has historically used English and Kiswahili as its working languages, while the regional bloc has moved towards strengthening the role of French in its integration framework. In December 2021, the EAC Council of Ministers endorsed French as a third official language alongside English and Kiswahili.

Kiswahili already has a special constitutional position in Uganda. Article 6(2) of the Constitution recognises it as the second official language, to be used in circumstances prescribed by Parliament.
Parliament has previously raised concerns over Uganda’s slow implementation of its Kiswahili obligations.

In 2024, MPs questioned why Kiswahili integration remained inadequately funded despite Uganda’s EAC commitments. The EAC ministry told Parliament that it required Shs3.2 billion to fast-track activities related to Kiswahili integration, while officials said Uganda had more than 2,000 Kiswahili teachers who needed to be deployed.

Parliament also previously considered legislation to establish a Uganda National Kiswahili Council, intended to coordinate and promote the use of the language in administration, education, the judiciary and other public institutions. The Bill was withdrawn in October 2024 after disagreements within government over which ministry should take responsibility for it.