By Gorette Kajumba
www.mknewslink.com
In Fort Portal—
Residents of Karago Town Council, a Kabarole district long side neighboring communities of Kazingo and Kihondo, rejoiced as they witnessed the official technical handover of Bukuuku Community Seed Secondary School in North Division, Fort Portal Tourism City.
This milestone marked a significant stride toward improving educational access and quality in the region.
The school, a remarkable 2.4 billion shillings investment, stands as a testament to the transformative power of government led development initiatives. Funded through the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program (UGIFT), a collaborative effort between the World Bank and the Government of Uganda, this project aims to bridge the educational gap in underserved areas across the country.
Fort Portal City Engineer Herbert Kaihura proudly outlined the comprehensive construction of the school, which includes three spacious classroom blocks, an administration building, a multi-purpose hall, science and ICT laboratories, a library, adequate latrines, and three staff quarters.
Emphasizing inclusivity, Engineer Kaihura directed the contractor to incorporate features that accommodate individuals with special needs, such as ramps and walkways to ensure easy crossing and full accessibility.
Engineer Peter Nkurunungi of Genes Uganda Limited, the firm responsible for building the school, highlighted their commitment to quality construction.
He appealed to the Ministry of Education and the government to consider using terrazzo flooring in future projects to prevent cracking, drawing from their experience of constructing 11 schools nationwide.
Nkurunungi revealed that, beyond the contractual obligations, his team had prioritized features like a self-contained head teacher’s office, waterborne toilet for staff, and tiled floors in the administration block measures aimed at enhancing the school’s functionality.
Ms. Jackeline Katuhebwe, the school’s head teacher, expressed her gratitude to the government for their foresight in establishing the facility.
She commended Genes Uganda Limited for their quality workmanship, which has translated into increased enrollment from 535 students before the construction to 677 currently.
However, she lamented the shortage of teachers, noting that their current staff comprises of only 17 teachers on payroll, with two non-teaching staff members and 15 teachers funded by parents.
Jackline emphasized that improved facilities are crucial for delivering better services and fostering academic excellence among students.
Patrick Muganzi, chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), shared the community’s enthusiasm for the new infrastructure.
He thanked the government for prioritizing their educational needs and assured that parents and community members are committed to maintaining the school’s facilities to sustain its benefits.
Tumwesigye John Bosco, the City Education Officer, observed that the better infrastructures have significantly motivated both teachers and students.
Meanwhile, Madam Nasike Asumin, the City Resident City Commissioner (RCC), commended Genes Uganda Limited for delivering quality work.
She noted that in several districts, UGIFT-funded projects have faced delays and abandonment, but this project in Bukuuku remains a shining example of successful implementation.
Madam Nasike urged the head teacher to diligently maintain the school facilities and to harness the conducive learning environment to enhance academic outcomes.
She underscored the importance of continuous effort and commitment to realizing the full potential of this investment.
Bukuuku Community Seed School now stands as the second seed school in Fort Portal City, following Kagote Seed School in Central Division.
Its completion marks a new chapter in the city’s educational journey, promising brighter futures for generations of students and a stronger community foundation for years to come.