Soroti University

Soroti University (SUN)
TypePublic University
EstablishedJune 23, 2015 (2015-06-23)[1]
ChancellorProfessor Francis Omaswa[2]
Vice-ChancellorProf. Robert Ikoja-Odongo
Location
Soroti
,
Uganda

01°45′56″N 33°37′44″E / 1.76556°N 33.62889°E / 1.76556; 33.62889
Campus
Websitewww.sun.ac.ug
Soroti University is located in Uganda
Soroti University
Location within Uganda

Soroti University (SUN), is a public multi-campus university in Uganda. It is one of the public universities and degree-awarding institutions in the country.[3]

Location

Soroti University has its main campus in Arapai, Arapai sub-county, Soroti District, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), by road, northeast of the central business district of the city of Soroti, on the Soroti–Amuria Road.[4] This is approximately 296 kilometres (184 mi), by road, northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[5] The campus sits on 200 acres (81 ha) of land, near the campus of Teso College, a boys-only, boarding middle (S1-S4) and high school (S5-S6).[6] The coordinates of the campus of Soroti University are 1°45'56.0"N, 33°3'44.0"E (Latitude:1.765543; Longitude:33.628900).[7]

History

The government of Uganda, following lobbying by stakeholders from the Teso sub-region, decided in 2012 to establish a public university in Soroti District.[8] A five-person task-force, headed by founding vice chancellor Robert Ikoja, was named by the Uganda minister of education in September 2012 to prepare for the opening of the university.[9] Soroti University was expected to open in August 2013. In that month, however, the Daily Monitor, a Ugandan daily newspaper, revealed that members charged with the establishment of the public Soroti University had also been establishing Teso University, a private institution.[10]

Construction of the university's main building began in June 2014 with completion expected 24 months later.[11] In June 2015, the government of Uganda, officially created Soroti University as a public institution, when the minister of Education, Science and Technology and Sports, Jessica Alupo, introduced a Statutory Instrument followed by a resolution of Parliament to the same effect.[1]On April 9, 2026, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau officially launched its 40th national Technology and Innovation Support Centre at the university campus to assist student research.[12]

Campus Expansion

In September 2024, the university administration signed a 14.3 billion Shilling contract with the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC) to complete the phase-two construction of the campus anatomy block.[13]

Schools and Academic programs

As of June 2026, the university maintained the following schools and institutions:[14]

The University Senate officially approved several new academic programs to be forwarded to the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) for final evaluation and accreditation.[15]

School Leadership

School of Health Sciences-Assoc. Prof. Samuel Kabwigu, Dean

School of Engineering and Technology-Dr. Excellence Favor, Deputy Dean

School of Applied Science and Science Education-Dr. Robert Entengu Oguti, Ag Dean

Administration

In August 2022, Professor Francis Omaswa was officially installed as the first chancellor of Soroti University.[16][17]The university's daily operations are overseen by Vice Chancellor Professor Robert Ikoja, who served alongside Omaswa during the initial setup phase. Omaswa's official installation ceremony was presided over by Uganda's Vice President, Jessica Alupo.[18]In July 2026, the university appointed 76 new senior academic and administrative staff members to strengthen its research and leadership capacity, which included appointing renowned pharmacologist Prof. Patrick Engeu Ogwang as the Head of the Department of Pharmacology.[19]

Academic courses

The following academic courses are on offer:[14]

Achievements

On December 13, 2025, Soroti University marked a historic milestone by hosting its maiden graduation ceremony at the main campus pavilion. Presided over by Vice President Jessica Alupo on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni, the university conferred degrees upon its pioneer cohort of 118 students. The graduating class included 53 students with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, 43 with a Bachelor of Nursing Sciences, and 22 with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer and Electronics Engineering.[20]In March 2025, Soroti University's medical school achieved nationwide academic recognition by winning the Uganda National Medical Quiz. Scoring 95 points, the host team defeated runner-up Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) and defending champions Makerere University to secure top honors.[21]The university secured international honors at the World Mobile Congress (WMC) in Shanghai, China, by winning the Best Operator Institution Category Award. The recognition was awarded for the institution's exceptional execution of the LEAP digital skills development framework.[22]In March 2026, the university's student innovation group, "Team SunTech," won the Agriculture Category at the national Industry 4.0+ Hackathon. The competition was held alongside Uganda's Sovereign Cloud Launch and evaluated over 400 nationwide innovation applications.[23]Soroti University students finished as the 1st Runners-Up at the Inter-University Innovation Challenge during Mbarara University's Innovation Week. The team was awarded for their development of "Mindset," an Android-based mobile application addressing digital health intervention and community mental wellness gaps.[24]

Student Hostels

  • Alalo Hostel
  • Crown Hostel
  • Asak Hostel
  • Camp Charles Hostel
  • Prime Hostel
  • Executive Hostel
  • Abby Hostel
  • Hostel Blue Sky

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Okello, Dickens (26 June 2015). "Lira, Kabale, Soroti now Public Universities". Kampala: Chimpreports.com (CRC). Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  2. ↑ Muhamadi Byemboijana (12 August 2022). "Professor Omaswa Installed As First Soroti University Chancellor". SoftPower Uganda. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  3. ↑ Sandra Babirye (12 October 2016). "Soroti University gets Shs8b boost, opens next year". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Road Distance Between Soroti City Central, Eastern Region, Uganda and Soroti University Campus, Eastern Region, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  5. ↑ "Road Distance Between Kampala Post Office, Central Region, Uganda and Soroti University Campus, Eastern Region, Uganda" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Godfrey Ojore (8 September 2012). "Soroti University Leaders Named". New Vision. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  7. ↑ "Location of Soroti University At Google Maps" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  8. ↑ Beinomugisha, Godfrey (15 May 2014). "Soroti University key for the 2016 general election in Teso". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  9. ↑ Ojore, Godfrey (8 September 2012). "Soroti University Leaders Named". New Vision via AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  10. ↑ Emwamu, Simon Peter (19 August 2013). "Soroti Varsity Team Accused of Misconduct". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  11. ↑ Administrator (29 June 2014). "Soroti University Construction Begins". The Red Pepper. Kampala. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  12. ↑ "Home — Soroti University". 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  13. ↑ Office, ByPublic Relations (2024-09-11). "UPDF to complete Soroti University's Anatomy block — Soroti University". Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  14. 1 2 Soroti University (21 June 2026). "Soroti University: Academic Programs". Soroti: Soroti University. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  15. ↑ Office, ByPublic Relations (2026-07-29). "Soroti University Senate approves new academic programmes — Soroti University". Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  16. ↑ "Home - Uganda Broadcasting Corporation". 2023-09-30. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  17. ↑ Independent, The (2022-08-12). "Prof. Francis Omaswa installed first Chancellor Soroti University". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  18. ↑ Asiimwe, George (2022-08-12). "Prof Francis Omaswa Installed Chancellor of Soroti University". ChimpReports. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  19. ↑ Office, ByPublic Relations (2026-07-07). "Prof. Patrick Ogwang Among Distinguished Leaders Appointed at Soroti University — Soroti University". Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  20. ↑ Office, ByPublic Relations (2025-11-29). "Soroti University Sets Date for Maiden Graduation Ceremony — Soroti University". Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  21. ↑ "Home — Soroti University". 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  22. ↑ "Home — Soroti University". 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  23. ↑ "Home — Soroti University". 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
  24. ↑ "Home — Soroti University". 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2026-07-29.
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