MUNI UNIVERSITY EYES BARIFA FOREST FOR EXPANSION

COURTESY PHOTO

By Erema George

Arua City

Muni university has set eyes on the Arua central forest reserve, commonly Barifa Forest for strategic expansion of the university as the institution plans to move some of its faculties to different locations for convenient operation of the university.

According to the leadership of the university, despite been called a land grant university with several pieces of land across west Nile , the university still requires more land for the development of more structures.

Some of these pieces include; 0.044 acres around Arua regional referral hospital, 2973.13 acres in Madi Okollo, 439.58 acres in Bidi Bidi Yumbe, 35 acres in Bijo Yumbe, 147.26 acres in Pakwach, 3.39 acres in former Oluko sub county, 20 acres in Koboko, 82 acres in Moyo, former Erepi PTC and 20 acres promised by the Alur Kingdom.

The vice chancellor of the university associate professor, Simon Anguma Katrini however noted that, all these pieces have been planned and more land is required for the institutions development;

“The campus is already been taken by this medical school and this techno science (130 acres), so where is faculty of science going to be build?, where is the main library going to be build?, where’s the administration block going to be build?, what about other faculties in humanities?, what about sports facilities?, there are so many other things that we may want to put in place.” Anguma questioned.

“I am looking at Barifa and we appeal to those stakeholders who will be involved in be quitting Barifa to work with us so that we have land for strategic expansion of this university.” He said.

The vice chancellor professor Simon Anguma Katrini while addressing the media during the quarterly media engagement at the university. Photo//Erema.

Over the years, different plans have been initiated for various developments including the eco-city development where the then Arua municipal council approved the initial plan to de-gazette the forest in 2012/13 and in 2019 / 2020, the master plan designed by Joadah Consults and DMA Capital was formally unveiled, presented, and unanimously approved by the local council.

This plan structured the 700-acre layout to include residential zones, a stadium, and the 50-acre allocation for Muni University.

Hon. Denis Lee Oguzu the former Member of Parliament for Maracha County secured a separate license from the National Forest Authority, to develop a 10-hectare eco-tourism and recreational center inside Barifa Forest. His specific project sparked legal battles with Arua City until 2024 and since then the forest remains intact.

Professor Anguma is however optimistic that if the other processing involving other parties are resolved, the forest will formerly be given to the university by Arua city council;

“Arua city council has already given Barifa to us in principal, there are just other processes that need to be followed. If it was Arua city alone, we would just take the teaching and research institute there straight away but parliament has to approve, there has to be de- gazzettement, there are so many other processes to follow.

A well-established university acts as a powerful engine for a community, driving economic growth, social development, and personal advancement.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis