Kyambogo University has dismissed as false social media claims that the institution is set to be closed by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and converted into a military facility.The claims stem from a widely circulated post on X attributed to Muhoozi, which sparked concern among students, parents and members of the public, particularly because previous posts from the same account have, on some occasions, preceded official announcements or policy actions. As of Thursday, no government agency had publicly commented on or disowned the viral post.“I have instructed Mr Katunguka not release Kyambogo shortlists because soon am going to shut it down. Kyambogo must be a home of military so freshers should try their luck in private universities,” the post reads.However, Kyambogo University vice chancellor, Prof Eli Katunguka-Rwakishaya, dismissed the claims, saying the university remains fully operational.“Everything is going on normally at Kyambogo University,” Katunguka said.“To students, parents and the general public, please disregard any false information circulating online claiming that Kyambogo University has been closed. This is absolutely untrue.”He said preparations for the new academic year are progressing as scheduled, adding that the admission process has been completed and the university is preparing to receive students in accordance with its published academic calendar.The vice chancellor reminded students and parents that first-year students are expected to report on August 1, while continuing students will report on August 8 for the start of the new semester.Under Ugandan law, the dissolution of a public university is a formal legal process and cannot be effected through a social media announcement or an administrative directive.Section 22(1) of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act provides that a public university is established by the minister of Education through a statutory instrument, acting on the recommendation of the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) and with the approval of Parliament.According to NCHE spokesperson Saulo Waigolo, although the Act does not expressly provide for the closure of a public university, the authority to dissolve one would rest with the same institutions responsible for its establishment.“We have not yet had a situation where the government has dissolved a public university,” Waigolo said.“However, we have seen government close and repurpose other tertiary institutions, which suggests that such authority lies with government through the same legal framework.”Section 24 of the Interpretation Act further provides that where an Act grants authority to make a statutory instrument, that authority also includes the power to amend, suspend or revoke it, unless the law provides otherwise.In practice, this means that dissolving a public university would require the NCHE to recommend the closure or restructuring, the minister of Education to revoke the institution’s establishment through a statutory instrument, and Parliament to approve the move. Without these steps, a public university established under the law cannot be legally dissolved.Kyambogo University guild president Edward Agaba said the viral post triggered anxiety across student platforms, with the absence of an immediate official response fuelling speculation among students.“Now that the vice chancellor has issued a clarification, we are going to share his message across all student platforms so everyone knows the university is operating normally,” Agaba said.“I have also been informed that the private admission lists are expected to be released today. Students and parents should remain calm and instead prepare for the start of the new semester.”Kyambogo University was established under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions (Establishment of Kyambogo University) Instrument, 2003, following the merger of Uganda Polytechnic Kyambogo, the Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo and the Uganda National Institute of Special Education.Today, it is one of Uganda’s leading public universities, renowned for teacher education, engineering, special needs education, technical and vocational training, as well as a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The post Kyambogo University dismisses social media claims of imminent closure appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.