Reading from the various submissions about the Public University there is a sense that the operation of this given University will have the greatest impact and help develop the West Nile region more than ensuring West Nile has stable power supply, a good supply of clean water and sewerage system, Arua Airport is developed to international status, a stable communication network (all of these are infrastructure developments that are vital for the development of a region).
I know I may be a lone dissenter, but I still submit that the idea of rushing for a university is a misplaced priority for the development of West Nile as a region. Many have mentioned the impact of Gulu university and Mbarara University as examples of how the respective areas where these Universities are found have developed. One thing they have not mentioned in their submission is that these two areas have been with relatively stable and sufficient electricity supply for more than 30 years and they are in the National Grid. Has the West nile region ever been in the National Grid. Take a view of the news which is in the papers: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/855174/-/whyave/-/index.html Is West Nile not a part of the country that it has been excluded in the Nation rigid of Fibre Optics? Has the President be the one to give us or do us another favour of allowing Arua to be included in the National Grid of Fibre Optics. Infrastructure (roads, energy, water, airport, communications network) are what will provide more jobs, improve the economy and improve living conditions of the people in West Nile not a University. We should rather address the dilapidated conditions in our Primary and Secondary schools with such money and perhaps build more Vocational Technical schools which will train hands on skills for our young men and women. I think we really need to put in perspective the development priorities of West Nile Region as a whole and strategize on priorities we set rather than getting excited about what is given. The issue of organizing workshops to discuss development priority issues in West Nile therefore becomes a must, and a cross-section of the population in the region need to be invited for such a workshop because the general view of the people who we may be talking for advocating development for need to be corroborated into the decision process of the elite and professionals. May be that should be where we should begin rather than delve into a University which I am sure the local people on the ground have no knowledge of or are not informed about. The WNF as a civic organization should take the lead in organizing such workshops and people of various walks and interests should be invited and allowed to openly discuss these issues without fear and favour. Thanks, Vasco Oguzua _________________________________________________________________
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