There is a new private university in Nyeri. Uganda's Fairland University at the weekend launched a campus in Nyeri in a ceremony officiated by Central PC Kiplimo Rugut at Chaka in Kieni East.

The university, which will admit its first batch of students in June, is expected to accommodated at least 10,000 when complete. The institution will offer courses in agriculture, education, accounting, business administration and in other fields.

Ranju Chandrasekhar, the university's chancellor, said the project will culminate in the setting up of a fully fledged campus in Nyeri. Chandrasekhar said the multi- million project will be funded by Brade Gate Industries.

Rugut urged locals to take advantage the institution to acquire more knowledge. "Such kinds of developments are essential to our nation and neighboring states," Rugut said.

Thuo Mathenge, the chairman of Brade Gate Poultry Industries where the university is located, said the university will solve social and economic problems in the region.

"The institution will help curb rural- urban migration as it expands its wings," Mathenge said. The launch of the university comes barely a month after the Kimathi University College was elevated to a fully fledged university by President Kibaki. Brade Gate, a community based project, is the largest ultra-modern poultry industry in East and Central Africa.