UGANDA: Government Lauds Church for Promoting Education

KAMPALA NOVEMBER 17, 2015(CISA)-Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has lauded Catholic Diocese of Kabale for continuous contribution in offering quality education in Uganda.

“To achieve our national development goal of attaining a lower middle income country status, Uganda must achieve a critical mass of a highly educated and skilled population to boost the country’s productivity and competitiveness in the global market and the church is doing just that,” Uganda’s New vision Newspaper quoted Dr Rugunda saying.

He made the remarks when he presided over the 3rd Anniversary thanksgiving celebrations for Uganda Martyrs University Kabale campus November 16.

Dr Rugunda said that the strategic target of Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Kabale Campus should be to produce marketable graduates who are equipped with technical skills to fill the skills gap in the emerging sectors of the economy.

The Catholic educational institution started in October 2012 as a polytechnic institution to address unemployment among university graduates.

The Campus Director, Rev. Fr Dr Abel Beinomugisha said student enrolment had increased from 53 in academic year 2012/13 to 300 students this academic year.

“Many children die in the first years of their birth, and many projects collapse in their infancy. We thank God for keeping us alive as a campus despite the winds and waves traversed,” said Fr Dr Beinomigisha.

Currently UMU Kabale campus offers certificate courses in medical records management, laboratory technology, carpentry and joinery and electrical installations among others as it progressively builds up capacity to teach specialized polytechnic courses.

Courses to be offered in phases at diploma and degree level include; civil engineering, mechanical engineering computer science engineering, bio-medical technology, food processing technology, nursing, ceramics technology and steel works technology.