Gulu University is planning to construct two student hostels with a combined capacity of 2,000 rooms, in a move expected to improve accommodation and address security concerns around the institution.
The announcement comes just days after the murder of John Bosco Ngire, a second-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education and Humanities, majoring in English, on October 10, 2026.
Ngire was reportedly attacked by unknown assailants at about 4 a.m. as he returned to his hostel after a night out. The attackers allegedly struck him with a stone before stealing his phone.
Speaking during a security meeting at the university’s main campus on Tuesday, the university secretary, David Obol Otori, said the planned facilities will comprise separate hostels for male and female students.
Otori said the University management was engaging the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) through the university’s holding company to facilitate the construction of the two hostels.
“We are in touch through our holding company with Uganda Development Bank. We are going to build two hostels of 1,000 rooms each. One to accommodate the female students and one to accommodate the male students,” Otori said.
He did not specify when construction would begin or when the facilities would be completed.
Otori said the university was also engaging private hostel owners around the campus to improve security, particularly in areas where inadequate lighting and limited surveillance could expose students to attacks.
“We are going to engage them to invest in security lighting systems and also cameras,” Otori said, referring to hostel owners.
He explained that the university, through the Dean of Students’ office and student leaders, routinely inspects private hostels before recommending them for student accommodation.
However, he noted that some privately owned facilities are located outside the university’s jurisdiction and have inadequate security infrastructure.
The Tuesday security meeting brought together university officials, police and army personnel, students and local leaders from Laroo-Pece Division to discuss measures to prevent further attacks on members of the university community.
Gulu University Vice-Chancellor Professor George Ladaah Openjuru called for stronger security interventions by hostel owners, especially the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to monitor intruders.
Prof Openjuru also cautioned students to be vigilant and avoid late-night outings and alcohol drinking that expose them to risks of attacks by unknown individuals.
He, however, suggested that if some of the students wish to attend night events, they must be cautious about their time of returning, citing that they would have to move in groups of not less than five for safety.
Fred Ahimbisibwe, the Regional Police Commander for Aswa West River Region, equally advised students against behaviors that put them at risk, saying their major objectives should be studies but night parties.
Ahimbisibwe also pledged to conduct routine community policing at the University to sensitize students about their safety and neighborhood watch roles.
Gulu Resident City Commissioner Ambrose Onoria pledged increased security deployment to protect students and the surrounding community.
Onoria also announced that a police patrol pickup vehicle dedicated to the university was expected to be ready in November to strengthen security operations.
Gulu University has a student population of more than 10,000, the majority of whom live in privately owned hostels or rented accommodation within and outside the university premises-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
