First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni has praised Catholic Church for its strong commitment in promoting education and health sectors in Uganda.
In a speech read by Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Commissioner at the Directorate of Education Standards, during the inauguration of University of Sacred Heart Gulu at St Joseph’s parish in Gulu on Saturday, Janet Museveni said that since the colonial days, the Catholic Church has been at forefront of promoting education in Uganda.
Ms Museveni explained that over the years, through the church’s efforts, Uganda has been able to produce great men and women who have gone ahead to participate in the development of the country.
Ms Museveni cited St Mary’s Hospital Lacor and Daniel Comboni Technical School also in Gulu as some of the examples of institutions set up by the Catholic Church which have contributed to the socio-economic development and transformation of the Uganda.
Sacred Heart University will begin by offering a Bachelor of Counseling Psychology and Bachelor of Information Systems.
The Papal representative to Uganda, Rt Rev Michael August Blume, who was also attended the function says the institution will help the communities in northern Uganda deal with violence it witnessed during the conflict between the Ugandan government and the Lords Resistance Army(LRA) rebels.
The University will open in the year 2017/2018 with two programs. Archbishop Dr John Baptist Odama has been installed as its first Chancellor.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Gulu LCV Chairperson said at the even that Sacred Heart University had come at the right time to aid in the healing the scars of conflict.
2 Comments
Good development. For years the Acholi people have been dealing with the effect of PTSD resulting to many violent behavior including self-destruction. Is a timely intervention.We pray for the best.
For years I condemned the Catholic Church for land grabbing in Acholiland. From Layibi to Mission to Katikati to Alokolum etc. This University, given the excellent teaching of Catholic Universities worldwide, will help Acholiland. I also recommend strengthening the Catholic Technical training from which sprang Layibi College – please we have OIL in Acholiland, why do we import technicians from outside? Do we have leprous hands? I am willing to lobby Canadian Institutes to partner with St. Josephs in areas of Oil technicians. With academic bridging (crash makeup courses for those lacking the requisite formal education) the youths who missed out on Secondary and Tertiary education can be redeemed. Training for oil well-drillers, Rig Hands, Line men, Power engineering, occupation health and safety training, welding (Pipeline work), carpentry. I have a full list of courses – many through apprenticeship i.e work a few months and return for further training until certified. Work with oil companies (they should support apprenticeship of locals) on this if they want to be GOOD Corporate citizens.