By KT Reporter
Local leaders and residents of Bunyangabu District have welcomed the decision by the district council to enter a Memorandum of Understanding with Mountains of the Moon University-MMU to establish a nursing school in the district.
Bunyangabu district local government will offer 30 acres of land housing Kasunganyanja Health Centre III for the establishment of the school.
MMU with its main campus in Saaka, Fort Portal Tourism City was taken over by the Government in July 2022 and currently runs 6 faculties including health sciences.
During a special council sitting held at the Bunyangabu District headquarters on Wednesday, the council members unanimously agreed to support all the necessary steps required to ensure that the university establishes the school in the area.
Hussein Kato, the Bunyangabu District Council Speaker told URN that members of the council have looked through the MoU and made their input so that it moves to the solicitor general for further guidance and advice as required by government procedures.
He noted that the nursing school means the elevation of Kasunganyanja HCIII that would eventually lead to improved services in the area and the district at large.
Kato said that following the advice of the Solicitor General, the district land board will sit to give a minute and the council will convene again to give consent to transfer the land from Bunyangabu district local government to MMU.
Moses Ikagobya, a veteran local politician in the district noted that the district has not had any public health training facility with many rural families unable to meet the desires of their children who want to pursue nursing courses.
He is optimistic that the facility will address the absence of higher institutions of learning in the area.
Davis Kamukama, the Bunyangabu County MP told URN that as leaders they have embraced the project because it’s come along with numerous social-economic advantages.
He commended the Institution for considering the district in expanding its programs.
The Bunyangabu District Woman MP, Peace Mutuzo asked leaders to work together in fronting common interests and work towards ensuring that the memorandum is affected.
Grace Katusiime, a student asked leaders to expedite the process of transferring the land so that students can have an opportunity to study from home.
In his message delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Academic Affairs, Prof. John Mase Kasenene, the MMU University Vice-Chancellor Professor Pius Coxwell Achanga, said the collaboration for establishing a nursing school will among others create a strong platform for practical and medical training for students. He added that it will also enhance research and innovation and serve as a critical hub for community healthcare services in the Tooro Sub-region.
He said the University management is committed to ensuring that this land is utilized responsibly and strategically to achieve long-term goals that align with the development priorities of the district and the aspirations of the country.
Prof. Edmond Kagambe the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in Charge of Finance and Administration, sounded the commitment of the University to support the uplifting of Kasunganyanja HCIII once the health school is established asking area local leaders to think of the long-term benefits of the facility-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
