Kyambogo University has dismissed social media claims that the institution is set to be closed and converted into a military facility, assuring students, parents, and the public that academic activities are proceeding normally. The clarification follows the circulation of a post widely attributed to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, claiming he had directed the university not to release admission lists because the institution would soon be shut down.
“I have instructed Mr Katunguka not release Kyambogo shortlists because soon am going to shut it down, Kyambogo must be a home of military so freshers should try their luck in private universities,” the post alleged. The viral claim has raised questions among students, parents, and members of the public, particularly because similar posts from the same source have, on some occasions, preceded official announcements or policy actions. As of Thursday, no government authority had publicly commented on or disowned the viral post itself.
Responding to the Post, Kyambogo University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya, has issued a public statement dismissing the claims as false. “Everything is going on normally at Kyambogo University,” Katunguka said. “To students, parents, and the general public, please disregard any false information circulating online claiming that Kyambogo University has been closed. This is absolutely untrue.”
Katunguka said the university remains fully operational and preparations for the new academic year are progressing as planned. He noted that the admission process has been completed and the university is now preparing to receive students in line with its published academic calendar. The vice chancellor reminded students and parents that first-year students will report on August 1st, while continuing students are expected on August 8th, marking the start of the new academic year.
Under law, dissolving or closing a public university is a formal legal process and cannot be done through a social media announcement or an administrative directive. Section 22(1) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA) provides that a public university is established by the Minister of Education through a Statutory Instrument, acting on the recommendation of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and with the approval of Parliament.
According to Saulo Waigolo, the spokesperson for the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), although the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act does not expressly provide for the closure of a public university, the authority to do so would rest with the same body that has the power to establish one. “We have not yet had a situation where the government has dissolved a public university,” Waigolo said. “However, we have seen the government close and repurpose other tertiary institutions, which suggests that such authority lies with the government through the same legal framework.”
Section 24 of the Interpretation Act provides that where an Act grants authority to make a statutory instrument, that authority also includes the power to amend, suspend, or revoke it, unless the law provides otherwise. In practice, this means dissolving a public university requires the involvement of the same institutions that established it. The NCHE must first make a recommendation on the proposed closure or restructuring. The Minister of Education must then issue a Statutory Instrument revoking the university’s establishment. Finally, Parliament must approve the move through a formal resolution. Without these steps, a public university established under the law cannot be legally dissolved.
Edward Agaba, the Kyambogo University Guild President, said the viral post sparked anxiety across various student platforms. He added that the absence of an immediate official response had further fuelled speculation and uncertainty among students. “Now that the Vice Chancellor has issued a clarification, we are going to share the VC’s message across all student platforms, so everyone knows the university is operating normally. I have also been informed that the private (admission) lists are expected to be released today. Students and parents should remain calm and instead prepare for the start of the new semester, “said Agaba.
Kyambogo University is a public university established via the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (Establishment of Kyambogo University) Instruments of 2003. The university was formed through the merger of the former Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK), the Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo (ITEK), and the Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE).
The university is still renowned for teacher education, engineering, special needs education, technical and vocational training, and a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The university admits thousands of students annually and is a key institution in Uganda’s higher education sector-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
