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. Location. The university is located approximately , northwest of the central business district of the town of Fort Portal, Kabarole District, in Western Uganda, approximately , by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital city. 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). A new campus is under construction at Lake Saaka, approximately , 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). 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. 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. On 1 June 2018, the university was granted a university charter by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (UNCHE). Consequently, a Transition Task Force (TTF) was set up by the Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports. The TTF consists of experts  including Professor John. M Kasenene, Professor Foxwell Achanga, Dr. Edmond Kagambe and Ms. Grace Nyakahuma. These were assigned to coordinate programs and activities to facilitate smooth transition of the University to a Public institution. 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. Schools and Directorates. 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: Public University. In September 2021, Parliament approved the takeover of the Mountains of the Moon University by the government. The University will  commence its full operations as a public university on June 1, 2022.