As a subsidiary legislation, the Establishment of Gulu University Statutory Instrument has, in most respects, re-echoed the objects and functions of a public university as contained under Section 24 of the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (supra).

However, Regulation 5(1) of the Gulu University Establishment Instrument, spells out the university’s vision and mission respectively in the Schedule thereto, namely:

“ … to be the leading academic institution for the promotion of rural transformation and industrialization for sustainable development”, and “to expand access to higher education, conduct applied research and provide quality professional training to the delivery of appropriate services directed towards social transformation and conservation of bio-diversity.”

The vision and mission apparently formed the University’s motto: Gulu University for Community Transformation. It was emphasised that the University should generate knowledge and skills that could solve the immediate problems of the community. Hence, the motto also evolved out of the necessities and realities on the ground.

Gulu University’s well-articulated vision, mission and motto aims at placing the University in the position to interface with the community, so that the latter is empowered and enabled to improve their livelihoods and face war-time exigencies and post-war challenges.