Definition
Soroti University (SU) is a public university in Uganda, situated in the city of Soroti in the Eastern Region of the country.
Overview
Soroti University was created by an Act of the Ugandan Parliament in 2015 as part of the government’s effort to expand access to higher education in the eastern part of the country. The university began admitting students and delivering instruction in 2017. Its main campus is located adjacent to the Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, a positioning that facilitates the university’s focus on health‑related programmes. The institution operates under the authority of the Ministry of Education and Sports and is accredited by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (UNCHE).
Etymology / Origin
The name “Soroti University” is derived directly from its host city, Soroti, which is the administrative and commercial centre of Soroti District. The term “Soroti” is of local origin, referring to the area inhabited historically by the Iteso people; its precise linguistic meaning is not documented in widely available sources.
Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Public university |
| Governance | Chancellor (appointed by the President of Uganda) and Vice‑Chancellor (chief executive officer) together with a University Council and Senate. |
| Location | Soroti, Eastern Region, Uganda; main campus adjacent to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. |
| Accreditation | Recognised and accredited by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education. |
| Academic Focus | Emphasis on health sciences, with programmes in Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Public Health. The university also offers courses in education, agriculture, and technology, although the exact range of faculties and programmes may evolve. |
| Student Body | Initial enrolment numbers were modest, with several hundred undergraduate students; current figures are not publicly detailed. |
| Facilities | Classrooms, laboratories, a library, student hostels, and clinical training facilities linked to the nearby regional hospital. |
| Mission | To provide quality, affordable tertiary education that addresses the socio‑economic needs of the Eastern Region and contributes to national development. |
Accurate information about the full list of faculties, specific degree programmes, and up‑to‑date enrollment statistics is not confirmed.
Related Topics
- Higher education in Uganda
- List of universities in Uganda
- Soroti Regional Referral Hospital
- Uganda National Council for Higher Education (UNCHE)
- Ministry of Education and Sports (Uganda)
This entry reflects information verified from publicly available Ugandan government and educational sources as of early 2026.