Half of students admitted to Gulu University fail to report for studies

Gulu University admitted 7,025 students for the 2026/2027 academic year, but only 3,465 had enrolled and reported for the first semester by November 12. This means that 3,560 admitted students, representing about 51 per cent, had not reported by the time of the assessment. The low turnout has raised questions about enrolment trends and the institution’s ability to attract and retain applicants.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. David Okello Owiny attributed the low turnout partly to competition among universities. He stated that some applicants seek admission to several institutions before deciding where to study. The absence of a centralised university admission system makes it difficult for institutions to establish how many of their admitted applicants eventually take up the offers.

Owiny added that the university had not established whether the students who had not reported were still planning to join or had taken up places at other institutions. The university is currently unsure of the whereabouts of these students, leaving their status uncertain. Despite this, Gulu University says its overall student population has increased from 7,200 in the 2025/2026 academic year to 8,200 in 2026/2027.

The growth in student population represents an increase of about 13.9 per cent. However, University Secretary David Obol Otori says the institution cannot expand admissions indefinitely because of inadequate infrastructure. The growing student population is putting pressure on lecture rooms, laboratories and essential learning equipment.

To address the shortage of teaching and learning space, the university started constructing a multibillion-shilling Business and Development Centre in 2023, with government funding. The six-storey building is designed to accommodate 36 lecture rooms and provide additional learning space for more than 5,000 students.

The facility is unlikely to be commissioned in December as initially planned due to delays in government funding. The delays could also lead to an extension of the construction contract awarded to Chinese firm Chongqing International Construction Corporation (CICO). University officials report that construction has so far reached 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, the university graduated 1,755 students on Friday, up from 1,432 in 2025. Established in 2002, Gulu University is marking its silver jubilee, celebrating 25 years of providing higher education in Northern Uganda. Records from the Academic Registrar’s office indicate that the university has so far graduated 25,804 students, including 10,040 females and 15,764 males.

Key points

• 51% of admitted students failed to report for studies at Gulu University for the 2026/2027 academic year.
• Gulu University’s student population grew by 13.9% from 7,200 to 8,200 between 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 academic years.
• The university is constructing a Business and Development Centre to address the shortage of teaching and learning space.