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Story by Evelyne Adwoko

It was Sunday November 23rd, 2025. The rising sun begins to shine over Karamoja plains with a brilliance that seemed to bless the day. From a  distance one can hear the rattling of the men wearing foot rattlers  and women in flowing, patterned wraps moving in rhythm mingling in the wind at Losilang Parish Kotido Municipality in Kotido District as they celebrate a new dawn of hope, the first ever University in Karamoja sub region; Karamoja Peace and Technology University (KAPATU).

The function attended by hundreds of residents, leaders, cultural representatives and development partners symbolized renewed hope for the region as it began with Holy Mass presided over by Archbishop Emeritus of Gulu, Rt. Rev. John Baptist Odama.

In his Homily Archbishop Emeritus Odama, highlighted that the ceremony is to mark two events which are to celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King and unveiling of KAPATU which is a historical breakthrough for Karamoja and Uganda at large.

“This university is uniquely called peace and technology university, let your technology and technical knowledge that will be acquired here be for peace for Karamoja, let it silence war, silence hatred, silence human distraction rather for peace and human development” he says.

He added that since KAPATU will be doing research, it should be used to find ways of solving human problems that has been affecting Karamoja.

“May research be done here to solve Karamoja’s prevalent problems, problems such as water scarcity, sustainable pastoralism, peace building and reconciliation, affordable health care and services “Odama added.

Rev.Fr. Domnic Eibu, the Bishop of Kotido Catholic Diocese who is set to become the University first President explained that KAPATU will not only be there to produce skilled graduates but also facilitate the healing and reintegration of communities affected by violence.

Speaking at the event John Baptist Loki, the member of parliament for Matheniko County and also NRM vice chairperson Karamoja region said the university is timely as it will reduce distance that the Karamoja children have been facing while studying in central Uganda.

He thanked the president of republic of Uganda General Yoweri Museveni for supporting the unveiling of the university and pledged on behalf of leaders of Karamoja to continue advocating for more government allocation for infrastructural development.

“There has never been a public university in Karamoja, not even a private but this is so far the gains that the people of Karamoja must protect i know there are many gains as highlighted by the theme of Kisanja, this just adds to the list of many gains that Karamoja must protect that is why the people of Karamoja must vote as a thank you for the support “

He also assured support from Karamoja leaders “I want to assure you that we members of Karamoja parliamentary group, the 26 of us we pledge our commitment to ensure that KAPATU gets support from parliament, we are all behind this project.’

David Pulkol an Education Advocate reflected the history of Karamoja subregion recalling a time when elders symbolically buried a pen with a misconception that education was viewed as an enemy to Karamoja culture and economy.

“80 years ago, the Jie people buried the pen and burned education because they believed a pen was used to oppress the people and Education was viewed as one taking children away and change their way of life”.

Rt. Hon. Mbabazi the Prime Minister Emeritus of Uganda who represented President Museveni as chief guest said that KAPATU is here to show the government’s commitment to transform Karamoja which has been a longstanding dream dating back to the bush-war times, where transformation of Karamoja region was listed in the NRM/A 10-point program.

“Education has always been one of the most powerful tools for transformation. Karamoja today stands at a critical moment. This region holds immense natural and human potential, and yet it still faces several challenges like climate disasters, historical underinvestment in higher education, and poverty, among others,”

KAPATU is a project founded by the Catholic Dioceses of Kotido and Moroto, Catholic Lawyers Society International (CLASI) in partnership with the Government of Uganda. It was conceived in 2014 by CLASI but actualized in 2023 April at the Uganda Episcopal Conference Headquarters-Nsambya, at a ceremony presided over by H.E President Yoweri Museveni who was represented by H.E Maj. Jessica Rose Alupo Epel, the Vice President.