Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) Officially Launched to Pave the Way for Regional Transformation

On November 23, 2025, Karamoja witnessed a transformative moment with the official launch of Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU) at a vibrant ceremony in Losilang, Kotido. While President Yoweri Museveni was unable to attend personally, Prime Minister Emeritus Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi conveyed a powerful message of support, emphasizing the project’s potential to change the trajectory of the region. The event, which began with a mass led by Archbishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama, drew thousands of residents, community leaders, and development partners, signaling a collective optimism for the future of Karamoja, a region long struggling with insecurity and underdevelopment.

Rt. Hon. Mbabazi, also the Chief International Fundraiser for KAPATU, highlighted the university’s alignment with the national development agenda, noting that it would be a cornerstone for peace, education, and industrial growth in Karamoja and the broader Ateker region. He spoke of how KAPATU would not only serve as an institution of higher learning but also as a symbol of hope and progress in a region that has faced decades of conflict and neglect. With abundant natural resources and great cultural heritage, Karamoja now has an opportunity to harness its potential through education and innovation.

The university's establishment is particularly significant at a time when Karamoja’s development has been stunted by conflict and limited access to education. Local leaders, including Kotido’s RDC, Mr. Charles Ichogor, expressed optimism that KAPATU would be the catalyst for long-term peace and transformation. With a curriculum that emphasizes peace education, modern technology, and community resilience, the university aims to equip young people with the skills needed to rebuild and reintegrate their communities, helping to break the cycle of violence that has plagued the region.

Bishop Dominic Eibu of Kotido Catholic Diocese, who is set to serve as KAPATU's president, spoke passionately about the university’s mission to provide young people with education rooted in peace and social justice. KAPATU, he explained, is designed not just to produce skilled graduates but also to address the region's need for social healing by offering programs that support the reintegration of former warriors and communities affected by conflict. Vice Chancellor-designate Rev. Fr. Prof. Callisto Locheng echoed these sentiments, praising the government’s support for the university and recognizing the collaboration of many stakeholders in making the dream of KAPATU a reality.

Local lawmakers, including Hon. Loki Peter Abrahams, MP for Jie Constituency, voiced their full support for KAPATU, viewing it as a solution to many of the challenges facing the region. With a focus on skills development, KAPATU will complement government initiatives like the Parish Development Model and support the region’s economic growth. Hon. Abrahams also shared that President Museveni had announced plans to pardon 900 Karacunas (youth involved in cattle rustling), offering them a second chance to rebuild their lives through education and constructive community engagement.

For the people of Karamoja, the launch of KAPATU represents the long-awaited opportunity to pursue higher education without having to travel far from home. In the past, many young people in the region faced significant barriers to education, traveling long distances to central Uganda for university programs. Now, with KAPATU offering world-class education in the heart of Karamoja, the region’s youth have a chance to access the education they deserve. Hon. Lokii John Baptist, NRM vice-chairperson for Karamoja, called the launch historic, noting that this was the first time the region would have its own public university.

Kotido District Chairperson Lote Paul described KAPATU as a “beacon of hope,” not only for its educational promise but also for its potential to help resolve conflicts and create new opportunities. He praised the university for offering an integrated approach to development, combining education with peace-building efforts. He also recognized the critical support from international partners, including the Ethiopian government, whose collaboration has been instrumental in making KAPATU’s opening a reality.

KAPATU’s vision is rooted in a holistic approach to education and development, blending formal academic programs with practical training in peace-building, human rights, and technology. By empowering marginalized groups—such as women, former warriors, and vulnerable households—the university aims to provide the tools for self-reliance and community leadership. Experts believe that KAPATU's unique combination of technical education and peace studies will help address the underlying causes of conflict in the region and promote long-term stability and prosperity.

The university’s launch is part of a broader initiative to transform Karamoja, with over $200 million already committed to projects like the KAPATU ERUPE Presidential Initiative, which aims to channel water from Lake Bisina to the region to support agriculture and improve living conditions. As Rev. Dr. Mugisha Kagume, Deputy Executive Director of the National Council for Higher Education, confirmed, KAPATU is on track to begin operations soon. With the groundwork already laid and a strong foundation of support, KAPATU stands as a symbol of hope for the people of Karamoja—a beacon of education, peace, and opportunity for future generations.