History

The Government white paper on Education (1992) had, as one of its recommendations, the establishment of a public university in Eastern Uganda, to increase equitable access to University Education. In pursuance of that recommendation, a multi- campus university model, with the main campus at the former National College of Agricultural Mechanization, Busitema has been established by Act of parliament, and gazetted as a fully fledged public university under Statutory Instrument No. 22 of 2007. Other campuses are located in different parts of Eastern Uganda at Arapai, Kaliro, Mbale (2 campuses), Nagongera and Pallisa. A constituent College is planned at Namasagali.

The University also reviewed two Diploma programmes which were offered at the former Busitema National College of Agricultural Mechanisation but are not offered elsewhere in Uganda. These are unique and relevant to the development of the country. They include the Diploma in Agricultural Engineering and Diploma in Ginning Engineering.

Model and Location

Busitema University is a multi campus model with the main campus located at Busitema, formally the National College of Agricultural Mechanization, along Jinja- Tororo highway, 25kms South West of Tororo Municipality, while the Nagongera campus is  located along Nagongera- Busolwe road, about 21kms from Tororo Municipality. Other campuses (yet to be operational) are located at Mbale (School of Hygiene and School of Clinical officers premises), (Kaliro NTC premises), Arapai(Agricultural College)  Pallisa and a Constituent College is planned at Namasagali