Local leaders in the West Nile sub-region are calling for the introduction of affirmative action measures to address the persistently low enrolment of students from the area at Muni University.
Established in 2013 as Uganda’s sixth public university, Muni University was widely welcomed by leaders in West Nile as a gateway to higher education for local learners. More than a decade later, however, concerns persist that the institution has not fully met that expectation, with relatively few students from the host sub-region gaining admission.
According to figures from the university’s academic registrar, Muni University currently has a total enrolment of 3,143 students. Of these, 1,774 are from the greater Northern Uganda region, 205 from Eastern Uganda, 127 from Central Uganda, and 110 from Western Uganda. The university also hosts 34 students from South Sudan and two from Tanzania.
The Mayor of Arua City, Sam Wadri Nyakua, says targeted affirmative action, particularly in the form of bursaries and scholarships, could significantly improve access to university education for students from West Nile.
Another leader, Doreen Oyiru, notes that assessments conducted over the years indicate that a large proportion of students admitted to the university originate from the Central region. She argues that there is an urgent need for deliberate strategies to prioritise local enrolment, given that Muni University remains the only public university serving the sub-region.
Similarly, Kadija Aliru, the councillor representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Arua City Council, says the university’s establishment had raised hopes of reducing the financial and emotional burden on families whose children previously had to travel long distances to pursue higher education. She notes with concern that many local students are still missing out on admission.
In response, the Vice Chancellor of Muni University, Simon Anguma Katrini, sought to allay the leaders’ fears, explaining that 79 per cent of the university’s total student population comes from the greater Northern Uganda region.
He added that the university senate is already engaged in discussions on possible affirmative action measures specifically targeting students from the West Nile sub-region.
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