Gulu University is currently at the center of a major financial scandal involving the misappropriation of over 30 billion shillings allocated for infrastructure development. The university’s management is under intense scrutiny following allegations of fund mismanagement and delays in completing key expansion projects.

A Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) session, led by Deputy Chairperson Hon. Goreth Namugga, revealed concerns over the significant shortfall in project progress. The construction of the Gulu University Business and Development Centre, which was scheduled for completion by July 2023, remains only 35% finished after four years.

During the hearing, university officials struggled to justify the slow progress and financial mismanagement, with delays attributed largely to the Ministry of Finance’s failure to release funds on time. As a consequence, the university was forced to pay over 530 million shillings in interest to a Chinese construction firm due to delayed payments — an expenditure borne directly by taxpayers.

The committee expressed serious concern over the transparency and accountability of the funds. David Obol Otori, Gulu University Secretary, reported that the delays caused by financial bottlenecks have led to increased costs, and officials were instructed to submit detailed explanations to the Ministry of Finance.

Further alarming was the directive from Hon. Namugga to report university officials and contractors to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to clarify the reasons behind the delays and potential misuse of funds.

The situation raises urgent questions about governance, civil service responsibility, and the proper management of public funds for national development projects.