By Vision reporter

THE Government is committed to the promotion of education as one way of ensuring a better productive generation, the Vice-President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, has said.

Speaking during a fundraising drive for St. Raphael Vocational Secondary School in Bukanga, Isingiro district recently, Bukenya said Uganda needs an educated population to be able to compete with the rest of the world.

A statement from his office said he contributed about sh9m towards the construction of the school. About sh20m in cash and pledges was realised.

The area Member of Parliament Nathan Byanyima contributed sh2m, while the animal husbandry state minister, Bright Rwamirama, and MPs Grace Byarugaba and Alex Byarugaba contributed sh1m each.

The vice-president also commended efforts of retired bishop John Baptist Kakubi in spearheading an education crusade which has seen a number of schools built.

Bukenya commended the NRM government for introducing Universal Primary Education (UPE), saying more children have benefited from the programme.

He, however, decried the lack of Universal Secondary Education (USE) school in Bukanga.

Byanyima appealed to the Government to improve the road network in Bukanga to enable farmers access markets for their produce.

Earlier, Bukenya visited BM Group of Companies in Mbarara town and commended the firm’s proprietor, Francis Mwebesa, for putting up the facility which is providing jobs to young people.

After a tour of the facility which produces steel bars, nails, barbed wire, chain links, industrial and hospital oxygen and treated poles, Bukenya advised workers at the firm to work hard to realise more profits.

Mwebesa said since its inception in 1980, the company is committed to being a major provider of construction materials to Ugandans. 

He told the vice-president that the company is also planning a joint venture with the Government to produce power from coal to contribute to the growing power demand in the country.