The university says the accommodation crisis also presents an investment opportunity for private developers in Gulu City and surrounding areas.
By Willy Chowoo
GULU CITY
Gulu University is facing growing pressure on student accommodation following a surge in admissions that has pushed demand for hostels and rental housing beyond available capacity.
The university has admitted about 7,000 students for the 2026/27 academic year, with 2,665 having already enrolled on the university portal, according to Ojok James Onono, the university’s Public Relations Officer.
The increase in student numbers has exposed accommodation challenges because Gulu University is a non-residential institution and does not provide student hostels.
Onono said the university currently works with about 52 private hostel owners to provide accommodation for students, but the surge in admissions has increased competition for the available rooms.
He said the pressure has also contributed to rising hostel charges, with some rooms that previously cost about Shs600,000 increasing to between Shs800,000 and Shs900,000.
“The forces of demand” are driving hostel fees, Onono said, as he appealed to hostel owners to consider the welfare of students.
The university management last week met private hostel owners to discuss the rising accommodation costs and practices such as double booking, where a room initially booked by one student is given to another person willing to pay more.
According to Onono, the university is encouraging hostel owners to sign memorandum of understanding with students before they occupy rooms. The agreements would clearly state the amount payable and help prevent unexpected fee increases during the semester or subsequent periods.
The university is also asking hostel owners to take a greater interest in students’ welfare, particularly because some students are leaving home for the first time.
Onono said students are supervised and guided by parents, patrons and matrons while at home, but once they move into private accommodation, hostel owners become part of their immediate environment.
“We also expect hostel owners to behave like parents or to act as parents of these students,” he said.
The university has also appealed to landlords and landladies renting houses to students to support their welfare and avoid practices that could expose students to exploitation.
Investors urged to respond to growing demand
The university says the accommodation crisis also presents an investment opportunity for private developers in Gulu City and surrounding areas.
Onono said some investors have already started responding to the growing demand, including businesses that are converting facilities previously used as hotels into accommodation for students.
He said students are even booking newly constructed buildings before they are completed, an indication of the level of demand for accommodation.
The university is encouraging investors to construct affordable accommodation outside the city centre and provide transport to and from campus.
Onono said the university could recommend accommodation to students where landlords or developers can guarantee reliable transport services.
With thousands of students expected to join the university, management says increased investment in accommodation could help ease pressure on existing hostels and reduce the rising cost of rooms.
The university has encouraged private investors to take advantage of the growing student population while ensuring that accommodation remains affordable and safe for students.
