Thanks Moses, this is very useful.
Please keep us updated on the progress of the discussion and actions on the
west Nile Public University.
Cheers
Charles
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:41:41 -0700
From: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [WestNileNet] Arua fails to spend 1.7 B shillings
To: [email protected]
Dear Christine and Comrades.
Here are -
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON WEST NILE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY HELD IN
YUMBE.
13th JUNE, 2010
COMMUNITY HALL.
2:00PM -6:00PM.
AGENDA
1. Opening Prayers
2. Self Introduction
3. Opening remarks By DLC vice Chairman
4. Briefing from the University Task Force.
5. Discussions and Way Forward.
6. Closing Remarks Office the RDC.
Min 1. Dr. Epiphany led the opening prayer
Min. 2. All members present were given the opportunity to introduce themselves.
Min. 3. In opening remarks the vice chairman expressed that the issue of the
West Nile Public University had become a Song Indeed West Nile needs a Proximal
public University campus and Yumbe with the philanthropic gesture of offering
Land in Bidibidi is applying for the whole University not part or departments
to be located in Yumbe since it provides a central location for all others
districts at the extreme ends of the region like Adjumani and Nebbi. He also
said that in the event that there is still need the district Council will offer
more land to the development of the University
Min. 4. The Team Leader University task force Associate Professor Christine
Dranzoa Welcomed and appreciated the members for attending the consultative
meeting. She thanked Yumbe Local Government for what she called a philanthropic
gesture of giving the University Land in Bidibidi Romogi sub-county which she
confirmed was already documented.
In effort to give a background to the formation of the Taskforce, Professor
added that the development of the University called for absolute commitment
this is why the Ministry of Education approached them individually as sons and
daughter of the region to take up the task of starting the processes leading to
the development of the public University in West Nile. She mentioned her three
person team members by their names and designations as follows:
Name
Designation
1. Associate Professor Christine Dranzoa Vice Chancellor
2. Mr. Lam Lagor James Depute
Academic Registrar
3. Dr. Epiphany Picho
University Secretary
Professor said that this team brings together an experience of over 60 years
which the people of West Nile should appreciate.
On why the people of West Nile should yearn for a Public University, she said
the university potentiates and triggers development. Since 1970s and 1980s to
date MAYANK, local leaders, elders, technical persons and Church leaders have
always demanded for a public University in the region. The presidential
directive to the Ministry of education to expedite the creation of the
University task force is a sure response to the Desires and Demands of the
people of West Nile. This makes the University of West Nile a demand driven
institution. She said such efforts like the Islamic University by Late
president Idi Amini and Nile University are history gone back.
She reiterated that there was an independent approach by the Ministry of
Education to the individual Members of the Task force whom she said are
independent of any political influence and interferences because they have
clear terms of reference which she indicated as follows:
1. To develop a master plan for the West Nile Public University.
2. To mobilize resources both material, human and intellectual that will
facilitate, influence and inform the direction of the development process of
this public University.
3. To identify programs that are relevant and demand driven
4. To pursue any other business within the legal frame work of University
and other tertiary institutions act.
Professor Christine described the proposed public University as a pro-people,
addressing common mans needs and termed it as an institution coming to provide
a ‘Universal University education’
In reference to the status of West Nile she said much as her geographical
location is of advantage, it is sometimes a disadvantage for example in all
towns of Uganda you find West Nile women engaging in subsistent survival
businesses and the men in local security activities. This to her was very
displeasing. The university education should contribute towards changing this
negative identity of West Nile.
She tasked the people of West Nile to focus beyond ethnicity, constituency
politics or district to a bigger and better future for the people of West Nile.
Progress made by the Task force Team.
They interacted with Arua District officials who gave a big welcome and an
exciting acceptance which the professor said was very challenging.
They offered the following:
1. The ICT centre in Arua for immediate start of the programs.
2. Madi Okolo settlement structures and land
3. Urban programs be run in Muni NTC and land of 130.054 hectares was
given.
4. The task force has also received individual contributions of computers
and books
5. The task force has got the Land given by Yumbe Local Government in
Bidibidi.
6. The Task force has created three sub committees who are already working
on three programs : BSC Nursing, Information and Communication Technology, and
BSC Technical program
On scoping of activities the professor remarked that the University is not yet
given existence by an act of parliament however she said these processes will
now lead to the enactment in parliament.
Approach of the proposed University:
§ Students will be clustered into cohorts (groups)
§ Courses will be competence based
§ Skills based with an attitude devoted to serve the community.
§ Community based and participatory
All these are aimed at making sure that we work with partners because we need
them.
Dr. Epiphany termed the University as from the people for the people. He said
the purpose of their coming was to carry out a needs assessment of the West
Nile region in relation to the Public University.
He asked members what is it that we want to see. We want to produce students
who can do not only those who know and can’t do. Because of this the University
will also run some cross cutting courses like:
1. Communication skills which he said will address the challenge of
University graduates ‘making good sentences by accident.’
2. Ethics which he said will reverse the challenges among civil servants
irresponsive and inhumane attitudes at work.
He asked members present to propose on the following
Name of the University
Members chose University of West Nile as the name they would propose as people
of Yumbe.
Whether the University should offer Science or Arts
The university should offer both Sciences and Arts
Whether the University should be Unitary or decentralized.
The university should be decentralized but the centre should be situated in
Yumbe district. Members said that the university should uphold producing
quality, Performers not just people who meet entry requirements.
In her closing remarks the Professor said “we take nothing for granted even if
it is a minority view”
The meeting ended at 6:00pm
Please Note that similar meetings are held else where in the Region so if there
are any intellectual information you could share to keep the efforts focused
you could.
Remember it is a consultative process not conclusive yet.
Kind Regards
Moses Akuma Odims
Program Officer MAYANK Development Association (MDA) Secretariat in Yumbe.
From: christine munduru <[email protected]>
To: A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]>
Sent: Wed, June 16, 2010 12:36:00 PM
Subject: Re: [WestNileNet] Arua fails to spend 1.7 B shillings
Dear all,
This comes back to accountability of our leaders/governments to the citizens
which I spoke about some time back. I did say that while we struggle as WNF to
cause development in West Nile, we must hold our leaders/governments
accountable to their responsibilities and members disagreed with me. Can you
now see how local governments in Arua are failing us? How many people lack safe
water in Arua, how many good murram roads do we have in Arua. Just take the
road to Ediofe as a nearby example, what would be the reason to return such
money in these situations. Now if WNF was to look for funds for some of these
developments and the donors hear money for such things being returned, who
would take us serious?
These are some of the issues that WNF should start engaging in. I hear the
University is in this years budget (not sure), we are not hearing what is going
on, I hope the money wont be returned also.
Thanks
Christine
From: Robert Ejiku <[email protected]>
To: A Virtual Network for friends of West Nile <[email protected]>
Sent: Wed, June 16, 2010 12:05:41 PM
Subject: Re: [WestNileNet] Arua fails to spend 1.7 B shillings
Caleb,
Its truly annoying but did he give reasons why. I know of moments when Bushenyi
has found itself in similar situations perhaps because of what they now call
absorption capacity that John Nasasira's referred to when asked why the hefty 1
trillion for roads was not utilized. But Kanungu complained of bureaucracy and
late releases especially where the PPDA guidelines to procure goods, services
and civil works applies.
One proposal to solve this problem was to look into the guidelines and reduce
on unnecessary red tape at the Ministry of Finance (Azabo).
Now I am sure our own in Government who are well versed with these systems may
want to educate us the laymen.
But should it be sheer incompetence on the part of our program implementers,
then the idea of creating as many districts as there are counties might now
gain credence.
Over to you fellows and all the best.
Ejiku
On 6/16/10, Caleb Alaka <[email protected]> wrote:
Arua Local Government is to return close to Shillings 2,000,000,000/= (two
billion) to the Central Government after the authorities failed to utilise the
funds. The money was meant for service delivery during the 2009/10 Financial
year. The Sectors that failed to use the money are works and water departments
(1.1bn), Education shs 322 Million and peace recovery and development program
(276M). The unspent monies were meant for construction of community roads,
drilling of bore holes, construction of schools and maintenance of feeder roads
that is according to the secretary finance Arua District Local Government one
Sam Wadri Nyakua.
This scenario is so annoying. We are breaking our backs to ensure that our
region copes up with the rest in terms of development, our local leaders are
obdurately failing us. what are your comments ladies and gentlemen.
_______________________________________________
WestNileNet mailing list
[email protected]
http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet
WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
All Archives can be found at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
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.
_______________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection.
https://signup.live.com/signup.aspx?id=60969_______________________________________________
WestNileNet mailing list
[email protected]
http://orion.kym.net/mailman/listinfo/westnilenet
WestNileNet is generously hosted by INFOCOM http://www.infocom.co.ug/
All Archives can be found at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/
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.
_______________________________________________
