Residents of Kitoba Town Council in Hoima District have welcomed the start of construction of a Shs3.1 billion seed secondary school, saying the project will improve access to education and reduce school dropout rates.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has handed over the site for the construction of Kitoba Seed Secondary School in Kiseke Village to Dolphins Consult Engineers and Contractors Company.
Works are expected to begin on June 24 and be completed within 10 months.
The project is being implemented under the government’s programme to establish seed secondary schools in sub-counties and town councils with limited access to secondary education.
Project supervisor Patrick Bongmin from the Ministry of Education said the school will include four classroom blocks, two science laboratories, a multipurpose hall, an administration block, an ICT centre, a library, three staff housing blocks and sports facilities.
“This is a complete education package designed to provide a conducive learning environment for both learners and teachers,” Mr Bongmin said.
Hoima District chairperson Uthuman Mugisha Kadiri described the project as a major achievement for the district after years of lobbying.
“We are very grateful to the government for responding to our concerns. This school will benefit thousands of children who have been struggling to access secondary education,” he said.
Mr Kadiri said the facility would help expand access to education and support community development.
Chief Administrative Officer Hajjat Sarah Aziz Nakalungi urged parents to enrol their children once the school becomes operational.
“Education remains one of the strongest tools for fighting poverty and improving livelihoods,” she said.
She added that the district would closely monitor the project to ensure the contractor adheres to agreed standards and timelines.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner Shafih Ntuuyo said the project demonstrates government’s commitment to improving education infrastructure across the country.
“Education is a key pillar of development. By investing in schools, the government is investing in the future of Uganda,” he said on June 10.
He warned the contractor against compromising quality and called for value for money during implementation.
Residents said the school would ease the burden of transporting children to distant schools and help reduce education costs for families.
Many community members noted that long distances to existing schools have contributed to absenteeism and dropouts among learners.
The handover ceremony was attended by district leaders, officials from Kitoba Town Council, community members and representatives of the contractor.