On November 23rd, 2025, the Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) project was officially launched at a vibrant ceremony in Losilang, North Division, Kotido Municipality. President Yoweri Museveni, represented by Prime Minister Emeritus Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, unveiled the ambitious initiative, marking a significant step forward for education, peacebuilding, and socio-economic development in the Karamoja and Ateker regions.
The event, which began with a Holy Mass led by Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama, drew thousands of local residents, leaders, cultural figures, and development partners. The large turnout was a testament to the renewed hope the project brings to a region long grappling with insecurity and underdevelopment.
Rt. Hon. Mbabazi, who also serves as KAPATU’s Chief International Fundraiser, conveyed President Museveni’s message, explaining that the President was unable to attend due to prior commitments in Tororo and Kisoro. However, Mbabazi reassured the gathering of the government’s full commitment to supporting KAPATU. He emphasized that the university’s mission aligns with national development goals, particularly in fostering peace, skill development, and industrial growth.
President Museveni’s message highlighted that the university will play a crucial role in stabilizing Karamoja and empowering its youth. He stressed that education is the most powerful tool to combat poverty, violence, and social breakdown, noting that KAPATU will be central to transforming the region.
In his address, Rt. Hon. Mbabazi praised the President’s decision to establish KAPATU as a Nucleus National Public University, ensuring the institution’s long-term sustainability and its significance not only for Karamoja but for the broader Ateker region. He also thanked the Catholic Diocese of Kotido and the Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI) for conceiving the idea and initiating the project. As KAPATU’s Chief International Fundraiser, he expressed optimism about the progress made and reaffirmed his commitment to helping KAPATU become a globally recognized center for peacebuilding, innovation, and transformation.
Mbabazi also reflected on the government’s long-standing vision to transform Karamoja, which dates back to the bush war days when the transformation of the region was a key element of the National Resistance Movement/Army (NRM/A) 10-point program. He emphasized that KAPATU is a strategic and transformative initiative that fits perfectly with the National Development Plan and human capital development goals.
“Education has always been one of the most powerful tools for transformation. Karamoja today stands at a critical juncture,” he said. “This region is rich in natural and human resources, but it faces significant challenges, including climate change, historical underinvestment in higher education, and poverty. KAPATU is designed as a response to these challenges, helping the region progress while ensuring no community is left behind.”
He also shared that over USD 200 million has already been secured for two key development projects in Karamoja, including a major water initiative. The “KAPATU ERUPE Presidential Initiative” will channel water from Lake Bisina to Karamoja, benefiting homesteads, kraals, and trading centers, and boosting agricultural production in the region.
The announcement of the water project was met with applause, as the residents expressed hope that KAPATU would help break the cycles of illiteracy and insecurity that have long plagued the area.
Kotido District Chairperson, Lote Paul, also applauded President Museveni for championing the KAPATU initiative, noting that the university represents a deep commitment to uplifting the future of Karamoja. He also thanked the Ethiopian government and other international partners for their vital support in the project’s realization.
“Karamoja has endured much hardship, but this university is a beacon of hope,” Lote remarked. “It will play a pivotal role in addressing the issue of cattle rustling and open up new opportunities for the region. Education and transformation go hand in hand, and we are grateful for this visionary project.”
A Vision for Comprehensive Development
The KAPATU project takes a holistic approach to education, combining formal learning with peacebuilding, health, human rights, psychosocial support, and the latest in science and technology. It aims to empower youth, women, former warriors, and vulnerable households, enabling them to become self-sufficient contributors to the region’s growth.
Experts believe that integrating technical skills with peace education will address long-standing causes of conflict in Karamoja, such as unemployment, cultural misunderstandings, and the lack of economic alternatives. The university will also produce professionals capable of responsibly managing the region’s rich natural resources, including its vast mineral deposits and livestock.
Rev. Dr. Mugisha Kagume, the Deputy Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), informed the gathering that KAPATU has already submitted a formal request for a Provisional License to start teaching. He mentioned that the NCHE had granted the university a Letter of Interim Authority in 2024 to begin infrastructure development, human resource mobilization, and other preparations, and that the request for a Provisional License is under consideration.
About KAPATU
The Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) is a multi-stakeholder initiative involving the Catholic Dioceses of Kotido and Moroto, Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI), and the Government of Uganda. The idea was first conceived by CLASI in 2014, and the project was officially launched in April 2023 during a ceremony at the Uganda Episcopal Conference Headquarters in Nsambya, presided over by President Yoweri Museveni, represented by Vice President H.E. Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel. The foundation stone for the university was laid in July 2023 at Losilang by President Museveni, who is also KAPATU’s Founding Chancellor. Vice President Alupo serves as the Deputy Founding Chancellor and Chief Promoter of the university.
