Africa-Press – Uganda. EDUCATION |Cabinet has okayed the takeover of privately-owned Mountains of the Moon University by the Government.According to a statement issued by the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, the decision to take over Mountains of the Moon University was agreed on during a Cabinet meeting held on Monday, at State House Entebbe.”Cabinet approved the takeover of Mountains of the Moon University as a public university in order to enable it provide competitive, quality teaching and learning,” the statement read.In the statement, the Government said the takeover of the university, which is based in Fort Portal, Kabarole district, would help the institution offer courses that address needs of the local, national and international community.The Government also expressed optimism that the takeover would promote community services and research for the socio-economic and political development of the city.Transition committeeIn February last year, the Government named a four-man committee to oversee the transition of the institution to a public university.The committee was chaired by Dr Pius Achanga, the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) head of institutions and programmes accreditation, and was deputised by Prof. John Kasenene.According to the terms of reference for a two-year tenure committee, Achanga was tasked with executing duties of a vice-chancellor. When the legal processes of starting the university are completed, the appointment of a vice-chancellor will be effected.The team was also to co-ordinate the development of a strategic plan for the proposed public university, co-ordinate consultations with various stakeholders. They were to also come up with a suitable name and implement the institutional restructuring into a public university.The committee was further tasked with developing key policies, manuals, charters, and statutes for the university. They are to review the academic programmes, evaluate the human resource for possible appointment as staff, and ensure a smooth transition.Yesterday, Prof. Kasenene told New Vision that management was yet to get official communication about the said takeover by the Government.”It is good news but I cannot comment further because I have not yet got any official communication about the takeover,” Prof. Kasenene said.In 2017, the university applied to Government through the education ministry to have it take over its management.Established in 2005 by members of the community and with 205 students, the Kabarole-based university now boasts over 2,800 students. It was granted a charter recently and runs over 40 programmes accredited by the National Council of Higher Education.
