KAMPALA — Former Vice President Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe has explained why stakeholders agreed to change the name of Busoga University as efforts intensify to re-establish the institution as a public university in the Busoga sub-region.
Speaking during a consultative meeting held in Kampala on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, Dr Kazibwe said the proposed name change is intended to mark a new beginning for the institution following years of controversy and closure.
Participants at the meeting proposed three possible names for the new institution — Busoga National University, Busoga Public University and Busoga International University.
According to stakeholders, retaining the former name could revive memories associated with the university’s troubled past, which they said may undermine efforts to rebuild public confidence in the institution.
Busoga University was closed in 2017 over a series of irregularities, including employing unqualified staff, running unaccredited courses and awarding fake degrees to more than 1,000 students.
In 2018, the institution was handed over to the Ministry of Education for re-establishment as a public university following a directive by President Yoweri Museveni.
The process gained momentum in 2022 when Education Minister Janet Museveni appointed a taskforce to oversee the transition and guide the establishment of the new public institution.
Stakeholders at the Kampala meeting said the proposed university is expected to expand access to higher education in the Busoga sub-region and support research, innovation and skills development among young people.
