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Reject Sectarianism, Prioritize Development, Tayebwa Urges Kanungu Residents
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, delivered a stern warning against sectarianism in politics during the installation of Dr. Chris Baryomunsi as the second Chancellor of Great Lakes University on Saturday, 22 March 2025. Tayebwa’s address, delivered at the university’s tenth graduation ceremony, highlighted the detrimental impact of religious division on regional development.
“We, the Banyakigezi, face a challenge that we often try to conceal sectarianism in politics,” Tayebwa stated. “When it comes to voting, many of us tend to choose candidates based on their religion, as if such division will somehow lead to improvements in infrastructure, such as roads and water supply, in our area.”
Tayebwa emphasized that politicians who promote division are incapable of effectively lobbying for their constituents. He also urged the youth to reject sectarianism and focus on contributing to national development. “When this university faced challenges, the person who saved it was a Catholic, yet the founder is a reverend from the Anglican faith. I urge the people of Kanungu to reject those promoting sectarianism. Those who fought to liberate this country from such divisions are your children, and allowing sectarianism would be letting them down.”
He commended the university’s directors for their resilience and praised the appointment of Dr. Baryomunsi as Chancellor, stating, “I do not think there is a door in this country that Dr. Baryomunsi can knock on and be turned away. He is also very strict when it comes to quality; he is highly demanding and will ensure compliance with the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) requirements.”
Dr. Baryomunsi, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance, accepted his new role and pledged to work diligently to transform the institution.
Olivia Tumuhirwe Arinaitwe, a Director at Great Lakes University, appealed to the government for support, requesting, “that they be allowed to share facilities such as science laboratories in public universities,” and also asked for “the government to exempt private universities from taxation to ease their financial burden.”
Rev. Fr. Abel Bainomugisha, the Executive Director, highlighted the university’s need for financial assistance, stating, “The university requires over Shs2 billion to construct a building that will house the engineering and technology departments, as well as science laboratories. He noted that this initiative aims to align the institution with government policies.”
The ceremony culminated in the graduation of 110 students from various disciplines, marking a significant milestone for the university.
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