Dear members, I would like to strongly request you to support this idea of a PUBLIC University in West Nile as urgently as possible. Just come to Mbarara and see what the second public University has done to the town and the community. The electricity, BAT, secondary schools, primary schools conditions,mention it, will experience an unprecedented pressure that they will automatically wane in. A bit of background information for your consumption. We Mbarara university academic staff, some Gulu academic staff, and Kyambogo academic staff who hail from West Nile met together with Hon. Baba and Hon. Ejua and we discuss this same issue in 2007 in Ministry of Works/Housing premises in Kyambogo and we selected a task force that was to meet the president. We have been expecting a report from this group since then, but to no avail. We understand the busy schedule of this task force member. However, West Nile issues should at the same time be pursued. As things stand, if we joke we may lose it all. We are a big number and in strategic positions in MUST and we have moved and established many policies of MUST. We are ready to offer support (SUPPORT NOT TO PUT THEM DOWN...We NEED THEM) the task force to fast track this. Let us not lose this opportunity. A bird at hand is work two in the bush. David Olema
--- On Wed, 3/2/10, Vasco Oguzua <[email protected]> wrote: From: Vasco Oguzua <[email protected]> Subject: [WestNileNet] Re: A Public University in West Nile To: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, 3 February, 2010, 1:03 Dear Colleagues, The issue of Public University in West Nile has surfaced again. It has surfaced with the lure of money and statements like we are "very late and behind by six months". I probably could be wrong, but it appears the University issue is going to put off track the careful and systematic planning of the organizational activities of the West Nile Foundation. I think the WNF is still at its early stages and will require the managers of the organization to reflect on what the Vision and Mission of the organization is, and develop a clear Strategic Plan before the organization gets into some of the issues which in my view will off-track the Foundation. I think we have very many serious issues with respect to the development of West Nile, including a University in West Nile. However, my humble view and submission is that for the Foundation to delve into any of the issues, a priority list of the issues/problems need to be drawn in order to have a deliberate and systematic attempt to plan and address the issues. Should the issue of a Public University take precedence over lack of Electricity in West Nile?? or the issue of BAT manipulation of the citizens of West Nile?? or even the water supply situation in West Nile?? or the development of Arua Air Field?? or the pathetic situation of Primary and secondary education in West Nile?? - these are some of the questions that come in my mind. I will submit that I still strongly believe that the Public University issue is a campaign gimmick at this time of elections in the horizon (did I read in Alaka's message that West Nile has over 150 pledges to be followed, which up this time were ignored for all these years till now). This issue in my view is not a serious priority for the people of West Nile, especially when the Primary and Secondary Schools are in a very sorry state, when Arua is like cemetery at night (my experience when I was there for a few days in January) when water is a problem in the town (could not even have water for a shower in the morning in one of those hotels). The priority of activities the WNF should consider need be activities that bring economic returns and improve the living conditions of people in West Nile. I think a stable supply of electricity, water and the development of Arua Airfield to International Standards would be great opportunities for the region. We need provide conditions that can attract serious investments in our region and I do not think a Public University will spur economic growth in West Nile as much, though I know the importance of a University Education. The issue of sending representatives of WNF to the task University Task force in my view is premature. The Foundation has not drawn up TOR, Vision, Mission and Strategic plan of operations. We have not yet recruited a volunteer to Coordinate activities of the organization, we have no bank account and funds to operate. I do not see any reason to rush to sending emissaries to such an activity the Foundation in the first place was not associated with. Sincerely, if there is any money for a University in West Nile, we have Nile University which has been struggling, why not provide such a fund to support Nile University or the Islamic University or expand the University at Kuluva. These are all institutions in West Nile which will benefit the people in West Nile. Why do need a different University? A University is a University whether it is run by Moslems, or Christians, religious sentiments should be irrelevant. Just like Kuluva Hospital or Maracha hospital do not treat people based on their religious affiliations, the same case should be made with a University. There is absolutely no need for a Public University at this time in West Nile when the region is still like in the 19th century in terms of infrastructure development which is essential for economic development and improving the living conditions of the ordinary citizens. Let the Foundation concentrate of collecting membership fee, draw TOR, Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan (say 5 or 10 year plan) and identify and itemize priority areas of operation. Thanks Vasco Oguzua Live connected with Hotmail on your phone. Learn more. -----Inline Attachment Follows----- _______________________________________________ WestNileNet mailing list [email protected] http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet % WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________ WestNileNet mailing list [email protected] http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet % WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/ The above comments and data are owned by whoever posted them (including attachments if any). The List's Host is not responsible for them in any way. _______________________________________________
