UGANDA, Gulu | Real Muloodi News | Student leaders from higher learning institutions in Gulu are urging the private sector to invest in hostels to alleviate the shortage of accommodation for students from distant areas.
The lack of hostels has forced 65% of the 1,000 enrolled students to rent from the community within the city, compromising their security.
The shortage has disproportionately affected international students, including those from South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, and other parts of the country.
The student leaders have appealed to the private sector to invest in building hostels within the city to address the emerging issue of limited accommodations for students.
The newly elected Speaker of the Institute, Laker Sharon Peace, stated that female students are the most affected and that keeping them in safe hostel facilities is the best solution.
She noted that many students have been robbed by thugs from their different rental places within the city.
Prisca Asistolo, a student from Adjumani District, highlighted that landlords often evict students from their rental places when school closes, forcing students to look for places to rent every semester.
Similarly, at Gulu University, students are evicted from their rental places within the campus at the end of every semester.
Nancy Lakot, the Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister of Gulu University, stated that accommodation remains the biggest concern affecting the students and that the private sector should take an interest in addressing it.
Meanwhile, the Director of the East African Institute for Management Science, Kynira Apuli, acknowledged the challenge but noted that plans are underway to establish hostel facilities within the institute.
Apuli explained that housing is a long-term investment that was difficult to undertake during the time of war in Gulu.
However, with peace, the demand is high, and investment in the area is profitable.
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