Busitema University Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Waako has challenged the University’s top managers to ensure that planning, infrastructure and institutional systems keep pace with the institution’s continued growth.

Prof. Waako made the call on 2 September 2026 during the University’s two-day Top Management Retreat at Mbale Resort Hotel. The retreat brought together senior managers to reflect on the University’s performance, emerging challenges and the priorities that will shape its continued development.

While acknowledging the progress Busitema University has made over the years, the Vice Chancellor said growth must be supported by the facilities, systems and services required to sustain it.

Prof. Waako pointed to increasing student numbers and the expansion of academic programmes as signs of the University’s growth, but noted that this expansion was creating greater demand for infrastructure and other resources.

He cited a shortage of about 3,000 chairs and growing pressure on student accommodation, stressing the need for Management to anticipate demand for classrooms, furniture, beds, roads, internet connectivity and other facilities as the University continues to expand.

At Nagongera Campus, Prof. Waako highlighted planned improvements to the campus gate and road network. He described the proposed gate improvements as part of the University’s “branding infrastructure”, intended to create a more recognisable Busitema University identity across its campuses.

The question of identity and visibility also led to a discussion on university rankings. Prof. Waako questioned whether Busitema’s current ranking adequately reflects the academic and research capacity the University has built and challenged Management to examine the factors influencing its position.

Prof. Gilbert Gilbrays Ocen, Director of the Directorate of Information and Communication Technologies, Research and Innovation Technologies, demonstrated how university ranking systems work and some of the factors that influence the position of institutions.

Research and innovation were also highlighted as areas where the University could make greater use of its growing capacity. Prof. Waako urged Busitema to move beyond displaying innovations at exhibitions and focus on developing promising ideas into products that can be used by consumers and contribute to the economy.

The Vice Chancellor also turned attention to the future of teaching and learning at Busitema. He called for greater consideration of Competence-Based Education, modular academic programmes and courses that can be delivered fully online, while emphasising the continued importance of practical and technical training, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Accessibility across the University’s campuses was another issue raised during the retreat. Prof. Waako noted that some facilities inherited by the University were not originally designed to adequately serve persons with disabilities and stressed that accessibility should be considered whenever existing infrastructure is improved or new facilities are developed.

He also urged Management to look beyond the University’s internal operations and consider the difference its presence and activities make to the communities surrounding its campuses.

Prof. Waako further emphasised the need for clear organisational structures, regularly updated University statistics and stronger systems to support both staff and students.

Busitema University continues to expand, and the retreat highlighted the need for Management to ensure that the systems supporting the institution grow with it. Increased student numbers, more academic programmes and expanding activities across the University will require continued attention to infrastructure, digital services, accessibility, academic delivery and the way departments organise their work.