By KT Reporter
The Kitgum District Council has deferred a proposal by the District Executive Committee (DEC) to allocate seven acres of land at the District Farm Institute (DFI) to Gulu University Kitgum Campus for administrative offices.
The heated session on Wednesday saw councilors questioning why the university should be given additional land when an earlier donation of vast land in Labongo Amida Sub-county by the late Hon. Ochan Acaa Lamola’s family more than a decade ago remains undeveloped.
Rogers Olanya Olila, the councilor for Mucwini East, welcomed the university’s request but faulted the submission as “incomplete.” He argued that the institution had failed to utilize the land already given to them.
“We are not against development, but our late father Acaa Lamola already gave a good piece of land for Gulu University. Even a dot of development has not yet been put there. Why then are we asked to give more?” he said.
Sarah Aber, representing Labongo Amida and Amida West, insisted that the university should first develop the land in Amida, while Jean Marie Odong of Omiya Anyima pointed out that the request lacked an official letter from Gulu University.
“If Gulu University asked Kitgum to give land, it should be clear and attached. Otherwise, let them construct on the land already given to them,” Odong stressed.
Councilor Joyce Kevin Atim of Pager and Central divisions warned that the DFI land had already been earmarked for critical infrastructure, including the High Court and a Law Development Centre.
“We cannot keep giving land on top of land when what was given earlier is lying idle,” she said.
Others, however, supported the idea of an urban site. Dayan Ociti of Lalano Sub-county argued that while the Okidi land remains available, administrative offices need to be located in Kitgum Municipality for accessibility.
Several councilors, including Patrick Kilama (Kiteny Sub-county) and Bright Olworo (Workers’ Representative), cautioned against rushing the matter, saying issues of land allocation require trust, adequate documentation, and wide consultations. Kitgum District Vice Chairperson, Emmanuel Lapyem, explained that the request was driven by requirements of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), which mandates urban premises for institutions seeking constituent college status.
Lapyem acknowledged that the documents from Gulu University were not circulated in time but insisted the request was genuine.
“Universities today require an urban coordinating center. Gulu University has already secured a title for the land in Okidi. This request is about fulfilling NCHE requirements so that Kitgum can eventually have its own university,” Lapyem said.
DEC Chairperson, Christopher Obol Arwai, apologized for the incomplete submission but reiterated that the request was necessary for Kitgum’s long-term development. He read excerpts from a February 15 letter by Gulu University, which sought land at DFI to establish a constituent college.
Arwai added that land is needed for the Gulu University campus to gradually become independent.
Since its 2011 inception, Kitgum Campus has graduated over 500 students.
Speaker John Bosco Ocen ruled that the matter be referred to the Education Committee for further scrutiny before the council makes a final decision.
“The issue of land cannot be handled lightly. Let the relevant committee study all correspondences and requirements before reporting back to council,” he said.
The decision means Gulu University will have to wait longer before the request seven acres at DFI for its proposed coordinating offices can beconsidered.
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