Mountains of the Moon University

The Mountains of the Moon University (MMU), is a public university in Uganda. Founded as a private, non-profit institution, the university became a public institution following an executive directive in January 2018. It is named after the Rwenzori Mountains, also known as the Mountains of the Moon.[1]

Mountains of the Moon University (MMU)
TypePublic
Established2005
ChancellorProf. Edward Rugumayo
Vice-ChancellorProf. John M. Kasenene
Students1,000+ (2012)
Location
Fort Portal
,
Uganda

00°39′31″N 30°17′06″E
CampusUrban
Websitewww.mmu.ac.ug

Location

The university is located approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi), northwest of the central business district of the town of Fort Portal, Kabarole District, in Western Uganda, approximately 320 kilometres (200 mi), by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital city.[2] This location lies in the Kibundaire neighborhood, to the north and west of the Fort Portal-Mubende Road, immediately after the bridge, as you leave Fort Portal. The coordinates of the university campus are:0°39'31.0"N, 30°17'06.0"E (Latitude:0.658611; Longitude:30.285000).[3] A new campus is under construction at Lake Saaka, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi), northwest of Fort Portal, along Saaka Road. The coordinates of the new campus are:0°41'15.0"N, 30°14'51.0"E (Latitude:0.6875; Longitude:30.2475).[4]

History

After a long planning phase, the Mountains of the Moon University received the official license to become active as a University on March 29, 2005. The License was granted by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education.[5] MMU is a Community Trust University and is a non profit organization. The trustees include the Local District Councils, the three main religious bodies and interested and supportive individuals. It has no specific affiliations.

In January 2018, the president of Uganda directed that both Busoga University and MMU be included on the list of public universities effective in the 2018/2019 academic year.[1] On 1 June 2018, the university was granted a university charter by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (UNCHE).[6]

Overview

MMU was established as a service for the rural communities of Uganda. Courses are structured to develop analytical and applied skills. All students undertake assessed field work during the 'recess term' which is presented using computer based technology at the start of the next semester. All students complete three hours of hands-on computer studies every week. The majority of courses can be taken as either a Weekend or an Evening option. This is designed to allow students to work and help to pay their way through their courses. The Austrian Service Abroad has been active at the MMU since 2007.

The University has established a Centre for African Developmental Studies, to study, research and create African knowledge and understanding, and suggest how this can be applied to inform development in an African context. MMU’s ‘special approach’ will permit new ideas that effectively bridge between local cultures and broader developmental opportunities to be tried and tested, new development models to be synthesized and development competences to be identified and understood in a holistic framework. As well as integrating these ideas with current courses, the centre has established a Masters programme, undertaking research and establishing a Cultural and Historical Archive. All these areas of activity have strong potential for partnership between MMU and universities overseas.

Programs offered

There are multiple study programmes offered which generally include Certificate, Diploma and Degree options. The academic courses on offer are organised under the following Schools:[7]

Prominent alumni

See also

References
  1. Ahimbisibwe, Patience (25 April 2018). "Muyingo to head Busoga University takeover talks". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  2. "Map Showing Kampala And Fort Portal With Distance Marker". Globefeed.com. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  3. Google, . "Location of Downtown Campus of Mountains of the Moon University". Google Maps. Retrieved 20 July 2014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Google, . "Location of Lake Saaka Campus of Mountains of the Moon University At Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 20 July 2014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. UNCHE (2005). "Private Universities: Mountains of the Moon University". Uganda National Council for Higher Education (UNCHE). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  6. Mbabaali, Desire (1 June 2018). "Mountains of the Moon University gets charter status". Daily Monitor. Kampala.
  7. MMU, . "The Schools of Mountains of the Moon University". Mountains of the Moon University (MMU). Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. Parliament of Uganda (9 July 2018). "Parliament of Uganda Members of the 10th Parliament: Rwabogo Sylvia". Kampala: Parliament of Uganda. Retrieved 9 July 2018.

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