Kabale and Busitema Universities are struggling due to Shs 78.2 billion in unfulfilled presidential pledges, Daily Star can reliably report.
The pledges, made between 2014 and 2020, were intended to support various development projects at the two public universities. However, the delays in fulfilling these commitments have hindered progress. The details are outlined in the Ministerial Policy Statement for the Education, Sports, and Skills Sub-Programme for the Financial Year 2025/26.
This revelation comes as State House seeks Shs 83.03 billion to cover pending donations. However, only Shs 53.03 billion has been allocated, leaving a shortfall of Shs 30 billion.
According to the Auditor General’s report for the 2023/24 financial year, State House had a budget of Shs 18.17 billion but ended up spending Shs 80.18 billion on donations. Additionally, it spent Shs 1.167 billion on inland travel, Shs 3.8 billion on staff salaries, and Shs 3.397 billion on allowances and other expenses.
A Minority Report on the 2024/25 national budget revealed that Shs 160 billion was allocated for donations, with over half directed to the Office of the President. The office received Shs 77 billion for outreach programs and another Shs 77 billion for presidential initiatives, totaling Shs 136 billion. During that period, the Office of the President also requested an additional Shs 30 billion for donations.
According to the ministerial statement, the presidential pledges to universities include a Shs 47 billion commitment made in 2016 to Kabale University for infrastructure development.
For Busitema University, three major unfulfilled pledges were listed: Shs 12 billion for 60 staff housing units (2014); Shs 4.2 billion to commercialize the Arapai campus farm (2014) and Shs 15 billion for the construction of the Faculty of Management Sciences at the Pallisa Campus (2020).
The Education Committee recommended that the government, through the Ministry of Finance, prioritize the fulfillment of all presidential pledges—especially those that have remained pending for several years.
