BY ZALIMON BASIGHALHA (GOODLUCK)
The proprietor of Rwenzori International University in Kasese Town has publicly spoken out the reasons behind the establishment of such a Higher Institution of Learning.
Dr. Nathaniel Mumbere Walemba who also doubles as the Vice Chancellor for the same institution explained that after realizing that many people in Kasese district and the entire Rwenzori region were lagging behind in terms of education, he remained with no option apart from establishing the University.
According to him, very few people in the area are educated to the level of Bachelors, Masters and PhDs because secondary and university education took longer to be introduced in the district and the Rwenzori region at large.
As a PhD holder, Dr. Walemba says even Uganda as a country received quality education in 1889 with Mengo Secondary School as the first institution of learning followed by Namilyango in 1902.
In the Rwenzori sub-region, Mitandi Secondary School in Bunyangabu district which is the first institution to be established started in 1972 followed by Saad Memorial Secondary School – Kiburara in Kasese district that started in 1974.
The educationist stresses that despite the establishment of Makerere University in 1922, few parents especially those from Kasese could afford to take their children to the university, a reason why Kasese district is still lagging behind in terms of Education.
After observing such a challenge, Dr. Walemba says he was forced to establish Rwenzori International University to help the learners from trekking long distances seeking quality education.
He also notes that the establishment of the University was to cater for the peasants and low income earners in Kasese district and Rwenzori sub-region.
However, Dr. Walemba asks parents in the district don to force their children to join Rwenzori International University but instead give them an opportunity to make the choices of the tertiary institutions of learning they would wish to join.
About the legality of his university, Dr. Walemba says he will soon secure a charter from the National Council for Higher Education to help the institution operate smoothly. The university currently operates on a provisional license.
As a former Vice Chancellor for Bugema University in Luwero district, the University of East Africa in Kenya and Overseer of all universities in East and Central Africa under the Seventh day Adventist Church, Dr. Walemba commends some parents in Kasese district who have been able to educate their children up to the level of Bachelors, Masters and PhDs.
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