By Andrew Irumba
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) on Friday presented a charter certificate to Mountains of the Moon University (MMU), making it one of the private chartered Universities in Uganda.
The charter, which is the highest license from the regulator of institutions of higher learning, is granted by Uganda’s head of state.
The certificate was presented to the University’s Board members on Thursday by the Executive Director for NCHE Prof John Opuda-Asibo at their offices in Ntinda, Kampala.
The charter will be a guide to the establishment, control, Management and Administration of MMU, granting them the right to self-audit, benchmark, award PhD degrees and ensure that the University runs in perpetuity. Prof.Asibo said the University applied for the charter in July 2017.
He said that after NCHE ascertained that MMU fulfilled all the requirements, they forwarded the application to the Minister of Education, Mrs. Janet Kataaha Museveni, who also presented it to President Yoweri Museveni who granted the charter. (jacksonholebagels.com)
It took president Museveni five months to approve and sign the certification having applied in July 2017 and signed on Dec 20th, 2017.
Fort Portal Municipality Member of Parliament Hon.Alex Ruhunda couldn’t hide his excitement upon witnessing the good news as he was among the leaders who have been fighting for the university to be taken up by Gov’t so it can also tap from the National Treasury. Ruhunda, who was also among the invited guests to receive the Charter didn’t bother to remember the newly levied ‘soso’ (read social media) tax of Ug Shs 200 per day.
The ‘Nikisoboka’ crusader went on his face book page and poured his everlasting love for the son of Amos Kaguta and said…“Yes finally we have made it! I can comfortably say that our great Mountains of the moon University (MMU) will get Government support the coming financial year 2018/19! It was not easy but thanks to the President for accepting the Government to take over the University by directing the Minister of Education.
The combination of the Mps from our region with Hon Butime and of course me being a member of budget committee did wonders to ensure what was thrown out (10bn) is reinstated! It was indeed team work. Bravo to all players with our Prof Rugumayo, Prof Kasenene and Dr Kagambe for enabling us defend the defendable. #Nikisoboka”
Prof Dr. John Kasenene, the Vice Chancellor MMU said after being chartered, they will grow stronger. “The students will be able to access Scholarships, financing loans, Post-graduated programmes at PhD level and many other opportunities,” he said.
MMU, a Private Institution located in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, was established in 2005 by a team of eminent elderly people from Tooro region, as a community University.
Over the years, however, the University has faced financial challenges which made management fail to develop infrastructure and pay staff salaries on time.
In 2016, Government declared its intention to turn the institution into a public University.
