Fort Portal and its surrounding region face a number of major challenges with a life expectancy of 52 years, an average birth rate of 6.8 births per woman, a dependency rate of 22 people who are reliant on every one wage earner and the average wage of £200 per year.
Courses have been selected, in the first instance, to satisfy the educational needs of the Rwenzori Region. Rwenzori suffered badly during the times of Amin and Obote and now is a region of subsistence living, poor education, few business or employment opportunities and poor infrastructure.
The courses offered by MMU have been chosen to correct the problems which cause the poor economic, social and community structures of the Region. Highlighting the educational facilities in the schools of the county regions, and of the general poverty of the people, is that well under half of the few students reaching minimum university entrance standard are able to obtain places. MMU has structured its courses so that each course of study can be started at Certificate, Diploma or Degree level as appropriate. Most courses also have the option of being attended either at night or at weekends to facilitate those who need jobs to pay their fees.
This approach, whereby the University structures itself to assist the poorest members of society, is unique among the Universities in Uganda.
The course fees represent a major sacrifice for the average Ugandan and, for many, University would remain an impossible dream without support. MMU focuses on practical courses where students learn skills in demand from local employers. All students are required to undertake a suitable placement/project during their long vacations which contribute to their grading and form part of their final Transcript. With a degree achieved, the former student’s earning power jumps and in turn allow the student to support the family group.