Kyambogo University (KYU) was established to promote and advance knowledge and skills development in Science, Technology, Education, and related fields, with a focus on quality, equity, progress, and societal transformation.
Located on Banda Hill, Kyambogo University is one of Uganda’s largest public institutions. It was created under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001, with its formal establishment occurring through the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (Establishment of Kyambogo University) Instruments of 2003. The university was formed through the merger of three institutions: Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK), the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (ITEK), and the Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE).
Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo (UPK)
UPK began in 1928 as a small technical school on Makerere Hill. In 1958, it was relocated to Kyambogo Hill as Kampala Technical Institute, later renamed Uganda Technical College, and eventually Uganda Polytechnic, Kyambogo (UPK).
Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo (ITEK)
ITEK, whose motto is “NOTHING WITHOUT LABOUR,” was founded in 1948 as the Government Teacher Training College (GTTC) in Nyakasura, Fort Portal. It moved to Ruharo and then to Ntare Hill, both in Mbarara, in 1949 and 1950, respectively. Due to increasing student numbers, the college relocated to Kyambogo Hill in 1952. The Director of Education at the time proposed the establishment of a Central Government Teachers’ Training College at Kyambogo to produce a new kind of teacher, with practical training in handcrafts. Its proximity to Kampala Technical College was seen as a strategic advantage, and it eventually became the Uganda Institute of Education.
In 1965, it was upgraded to a National Teachers’ College to offer diploma courses. By the mid-1980s, as new National Teachers’ Colleges (NTCs) were established around Uganda, ITEK began focusing on in-service degree programs for teacher trainers. In September 1987, the principal of ITEK informed the Minister of Education that the institute was ready to offer Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree courses for in-service students. ITEK officially became autonomous following the passage of the Institute of Education Act of 1987.
Uganda National Institute of Special Education (UNISE)
UNISE was established as a Department of Special Education at ITEK in 1988. It gained autonomy in 1998 following an Act of Parliament.
These three institutions merged to form Kyambogo University, Uganda’s third public university.
Vision
“To be a Center of Academic and Professional Excellence. “Mission
“To advance and promote knowledge and development of skills in science, technology and education and such other fields having regard to quality, equity, progress and transformation of society.” Motto “Knowledge and Skills for Service” Core Values
- Quality: Ensuring high quality of output and service delivery.
- Equity: Ensuring equal opportunity for all in all its programs.
- Integrity: Promotion of a high sense of moral and ethical standards in all its dealings with stakeholders and the public.
- Professionalism: Professionalism is to be observed in all dealings and execution of the University’s mandate.
Objectives of Kyambogo University as per Statutory Instrument No.37, 2003
The objectives’ broad areas are:
- Creation and promotion of knowledge
- Capacity building
- Education and skills development
Objectives in detail include:
- Equitably expand access to higher education.
- Produce highly and practically skilled manpower for service to society.
- Reduce duplication of areas of study in the institution with proximity and enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Strengthen and expand vocational studies.
- Spearhead applied research.
- Initiate and promote innovations in education and technology.
- Equip technicians, engineers, and teachers of technical subjects with required skills for manning the construction service, manufacturing industries and educational institutions, including universities, schools and research organisations.
- To promote a better understanding of the basic principles and methodology along with practical knowledge of construction, application, properties, operations and limitations of engineering systems, materials processes and equipment.
- To provide a scientific and mathematical foundation to enable the recipients to handle competently the technological aspects of the training.
- To equip graduates with the analytical tools required to solve problems utilizing their scientific knowledge and appropriate technology either under the supervision of an engineer or independently.
- To initiate, encourage and promote specific and specialized research in scientific, technical and technological fields to the needs of Uganda.
- To promote the acquisition, adaptation and application of information technology and to solve the social, economic and educational problems of Uganda.
- To aim at ensuring an increased number of learners with special educational needs and ensure that learners receive equitable and quality education through providing professional manpower to secure effective support to training needs.
- To provide training for teachers and other personnel working in the field of special needs education and rehabilitation and to cater for all kinds of persons with disabilities and special learning needs.
- To provide a resource center for the production and dissemination of information relating to persons with disabilities and special learning needs.
- To undertake research in disabilities and other related fields for better understanding and development of persons with disabilities and special learning needs.
- To initiate outreach programs to promote greater awareness among teachers, parents, leaders and the general public about persons with disabilities and special learning needs, and to promote partnership and collaboration among agencies involved in dealing with persons with disabilities.
Strategic Focus Areas for the period 2012/13 – 2022/23:
- Teaching and Learning
- Research, Innovation and Knowledge Generation
- Physical Infrastructure, Facilities and ICT Development
- Institutional Development
- Strategic Marketing
How to contact The Academic Registrar (Kyambogo University)
P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala – Uganda (East Africa)
Tel: (+256)-414-285037/287343/287502
Fax: (+256)-414-220464
E-mail: arkyu@kyu.ac.ug
Website: www.ar.kyu.ac.ug
Administrative Structure
The following units constitute the administrative arm of the University;
- Vice Chancellor’s Office (including DVC (F&A), DVC (AA), Public relations office, International Office, Quality Assurance, Gender and Disability Support centre);
- University Secretary (incl. Legal, Procurement Unit);
- Academic Registrar;
- Library;
- Dean of Students;
- Directorate of ICT and Services;
- Directorate of Planning and Development;
- Directorate of Human Resources;
- Finance Department;
- Estates and Works Department and;
- The University Medical Clinic Services
The University governance structure is defined by the University and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, of 2001 and is summarized below:
University Council:
The University Council is the supreme organ of the University and is responsible for the overall administration, policy development and implementation.
The University Council, in its governance, is assisted by the following committees:
- Appointments Board
- Establishment and Administration Committee
- Finance and Planning Committee
- Estates and Works Committee
- Students Affairs Committee
- Finance and Resource Mobilization Committee
- Audit Committee
University Senate: The University Senate is the academic policy organ and is responsible for the organization, control and direction of the academic matters of the University.
Top Management
The Top Management of the University consists of the following officers:
- Vice-Chancellor who is responsible for the academic, administrative and financial affairs of the University,
- Deputy Vice-Chancellors, responsible for academic affairs
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor, responsible for finance and administration.
- University Secretary, responsible for general administration,
- Academic Registrar, responsible for academic matters,
- University Librarian, responsible for the development, control, management and coordination of all library information services,
- University Bursar, responsible for financial administration and planning of the University;
- Dean of Students, responsible for students’ welfare.
- Chief Internal Auditor, responsible for assuring Management and the University Council on the effective functioning of internal controls, risk assessment, and consistent application of university policies and applicable laws.
- Director of Human Resources, responsible for ensuring optimum use of Human resources as a key to achieving objectives of the University.
- Director of Planning and Development, responsible for generating planning awareness, steering the University into a systematic planning process and coordinating all planning activities in the University including resource mobilization efforts.
- Director, Directorate of ICT and Services, responsible for ICT developments in the University.
- Senior Public Relations Officer, responsible for handling all planned public campaigns and PR activities of the University;
- Senior Legal Officer, responsible for the legal issues of the University;
- Senior Procurement Officer, responsible for all procurements of the University.
The Students’ Welfare Department (Dean of Students)
The Dean of Students’ office oversees all aspects of student welfare, ensuring that students have access to essential services such as accommodation, dining, recreation, spiritual support, and psychosocial care through guidance and counselling. This department works closely with the Directorate of Medical Services and Campus Security to promote the health, safety, and well-being of the student body.
Additionally, the Dean of Students’ department coordinates student leadership activities through the Students’ Guild and upholds discipline within the student community.
Key Sections of the Department
The Students’ Welfare Department is organized into six main sections, each serving a specific aspect of student life:
• Halls of Residence
• Cafeterias
• Guidance and Counseling
• Places of Worship
• Games and Sports
• Students’ Guild
Halls of Residence
The university provides accommodation through five halls of residence: Mandela, Nanziri, Kulubya, Pearl, and North Halls. While these halls can only house a portion of the student population, all students are affiliated with one of these halls, fostering a sense of community and belonging.