Jubilation swept through communities across Budaka District as government officials, local leaders and residents gathered to celebrate the completion of three newly built seed secondary schools worth Shs10b.
The investment marks one of the district’s most significant boosts to education infrastructure in recent years. This brings renewed hope to families that have long struggled to access affordable secondary school education.
The newly launched institutions are Nansanga Seed Secondary School, Mugiti Seed Secondary School and Kamonkoli Seed Secondary School. The schools were constructed under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) programme, which aims to expand access to quality secondary education in underserved rural areas.
Each school is equipped with modern facilities, including fully furnished classrooms, a science laboratory, a library, staff houses, an administration block, reliable water supply and improved sanitation systems. The infrastructure is designed to support both day and boarding learners while meeting national education standards.
Budaka LC5 Chairperson, Mr Emmanuel Pajje, praised the government for prioritising education and deliberately working to bridge the long-standing rural-urban divide.
He noted that the new schools will drastically reduce the long walking distances that previously forced many learners, especially girls, to drop out of school.
‘This investment ensures that every child in these respective sub-counties has a fair chance at a bright future. It will automatically reduce the long distances learners have been enduring just to access education,’ Mr Pajje said.
Where the Shs 10b went
According to information from the district engineering department, Mugiti Seed Secondary School was constructed at a cost of Shs 2.9bn, Nansanga Seed Secondary School at Shs 3.2bn, while Kamonkoli Seed Secondary School cost Shs 1.9bn.
Construction works at Mugiti and Nansanga seed secondary schools were undertaken by MKN Pages Ltd, while Kamonkoli Seed Secondary School was built by Lab Plus Ltd.
‘As a government policy, each sub-county should have a secondary school. This is intended to make education accessible and reduce long distances,’ Mr Pajje explained.
He also challenged parents and community members to embrace and support the schools by protecting the infrastructure and ensuring proper maintenance. However, he cautioned them against mixing politics into school affairs, noting that a stable learning environment is essential for smooth management.
Parents and community members expressed gratitude, saying the schools bring relief and renewed hope to families that could not afford private secondary education.
The village chairperson of Bukaduka in Kamonkoli Sub-county, Mr Kepher Nibogere, described the development as a major milestone for learners and parents.
‘Most of our children previously had to walk very long distances to access education. This is a milestone we should be proud of as parents,’ Mr Nibogere said.
Teachers see promise
Teachers welcomed the development, noting that the improved facilities will enhance teaching conditions and boost academic performance in rural areas.
Kamonkoli Seed Secondary School head teacher, Mr Martin Ochan, applauded the government for providing affordable, accessible and relevant education through the construction of seed secondary schools across the country.
‘As Kamonkoli community, we deeply appreciate this facility. We are grateful to everyone who sacrificed resources to ensure these schools had a starting point,’ Mr Ochan said.
Enrolment surges strain facilities
However, he revealed that enrolment at the school has grown rapidly, from 250 students in 2022 to 1,001 in 2025, a surge that is now putting pressure on existing infrastructure.
He said the school urgently needs six additional classrooms to accommodate the growing student population and appealed for more computers to support modern teaching and learning technologies.
Relief for vulnerable learners
Mugiti Seed Secondary School head teacher, Mr Alex Masaba, said the school has already registered 264 students and sits on a six-acre piece of land.
He noted that the establishment of the school has brought immense relief to vulnerable learners who previously trekked long distances to attend secondary school.
Similarly, Nansanga Seed Secondary School head teacher, Ms Nisulka Sumbatala, commended the government for its timely intervention, saying the school has made secondary school education affordable and accessible to the community.
Focus on transition and literacy rates
Mr Peter Kaujju, a board member of Kamonkoli Seed Secondary School, thanked the government for extending secondary education to some of the most vulnerable communities.
‘The most critical impact is that these schools will reduce long distances and school dropout, especially the girl child,’ Mr Kaujju said.
The acting District Education Officer (DEO), Mr Richard Wako, highlighted that the schools will significantly improve literacy levels and transition rates from primary to secondary education.
He urged parents to enroll their children, noting that the government has already played its part by providing the necessary infrastructure.
Government pledges continued support
The Ministry of Education and Sports reaffirmed its commitment to deploying qualified teachers, supplying textbooks and supporting school management as part of its broader mission to expand secondary school coverage across Uganda.
Mr Anthony Egesa, deputy chief administrative officer, urged community members to safeguard the new schools and support administrators in maintaining the facilities as the district celebrates their completion.
‘With this Shs 10bn investment, Budaka District is stepping into a new era of educational opportunity-one expected to transform the future of thousands of learners for generations to come,’ Mr Egesa said.
He also encouraged newly posted teachers to remain patient as the government processes their salaries, noting reports that some have gone for a while without pay.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Monica Musenero, represented by Mr Sam Mulomi, said the project demonstrated clear value for money.
‘I am delighted by the quality of these structures. We must guard these facilities with great care,’ he said.