Reccurent disasters leave Apac schoolchildren without classrooms

APAC - Residents of Ibuje subcounty in Apac district have raised concerns over the lack of humanitarian assistance following a series of devastating natural disasters that have hit their communities over the past three years.

In 2023, severe flooding affected the parishes of Aganga, Alworoceng, Traogali, and Amiiaberidwogo, destroying homes and crops and impacting more than 78 families. Many residents were left without shelter and reliable sources of food.

In 2025, a destructive hailstorm struck Alworoceng parish, damaging crops belonging to 45 families. The incident led to serious food shortages and forced several children to drop out of school due to hardship.

The situation worsened in 2026 when heavy rainfall and strong winds blew off classroom structures at Igoti Primary School and destroyed more than 35 houses in the community on the night of March 24, 2026.

The incident resulted in the closure of Igoti Primary School last Wednesday by district leaders as they sought alternative arrangements for learners to continue their studies.

The school head teacher, Okello Oscar Geoffrey, said classrooms, desks, teaching textbooks and the solar lighting system, among others, were destroyed. This has negatively impacted the learning process of over 700 pupils at the school.

He said the school previously conducted eight lessons daily, but with the closure, many lessons will not be taught. He added that even if pupils study under trees, some lessons may not be conducted due to rainfall interruptions.

Pupils sun-dry their books, which were destroyed by rain. (Credit: Jasper Egwel)

Funding gaps

Tonny Okello, vice chairperson of the school's parent-teacher association, said the building fund of sh5,500 collected from parents towards construction is too little to reroof the four classrooms built by the government that were destroyed by the strong winds.

He said the central government should intervene to address the destruction of classrooms, which has left pupils without proper learning spaces.

Grace Alum, a parent, said parents cannot raise enough money for reconstruction because crops that would have generated income were destroyed by floods.

Fatalities reported

Tom Okello, chairperson LC1 for Igoti village in Ibuje subcounty, said that during the Tuesday night incident, a family of four, including a mother and three children, was affected when their house collapsed on them.

One child, Akello Mercy, aged two, died, while two other children sustained serious injuries, and the mother suffered a broken arm.

In the same village of 720 households, he confirmed that 34 permanent and grass-thatched houses were destroyed by the strong winds.

He said that although Red Cross teams usually visit the area and collect data on affected families, no relief items are provided.

Relief response questioned

Following concerns from the community that the Red Cross does not provide assistance after disasters despite collecting data, Sam Musigha, the Red Cross branch manager for Apac district, said he works with district local government leaders, while the Red Cross headquarters coordinates with the Office of the Prime Minister.

After collecting data, Musigha said he submits it to district leaders for endorsement before forwarding it to national-level offices for consideration, noting that some responsibilities fall to the government.

Having gathered information on those affected by floods and hailstorms in previous years, Musigha said he advised the area Member of Parliament to present the report to the Red Cross secretary general and the Prime Minister for further action.

"I saw there was a need for help from either the government or the Uganda Red Cross, but electorates should ask the area MP about presenting a request to the Red Cross secretary general or the Prime Minister. Whatever did not come, I did my work; I know you were supposed to receive something," he said.

Leaders decry neglect

Alex Ogota, chairperson LC3 for Ibuje subcounty, said this is the third time floods, hailstorms and strong winds have hit the area, leaving communities without houses and food.

He said in other districts, affected communities receive relief support from the government or the Red Cross, adding that he faced criticism during the recent elections, with some accusing him of mismanaging disaster funds, which he denied.

The school head teacher, Okello Oscar Geoffrey, said classrooms, desks, teaching textbooks and the solar lighting system, among others, were destroyed. (Credit: Jasper Egwel)

School relocation stalled

District education officer Bosco Elyak said Igoti Primary School is in a remote location, with long distances to neighbouring schools.

He said that in previous years, pupils had to travel to Chakali Primary School to sit examinations due to poor road access for UNEB officials.

Following repeated flooding, including a severe incident in 2023 that submerged the school, Elyak said there were plans to relocate the school, but this has not been implemented due to lack of funds.

"Following flooding in 2023, the district leaders wrote a request report and submitted it to the ministry but nothing was done on it by the central government on the flood that hit the school, resulting in closure for some good weeks in an attempt to wait for the water to dry off from classes and the school compound," he said.

Jenet Odongo, principal assistant secretary to the CAO of Apac district, said reports on the affected school and community would be compiled and submitted to relevant authorities for support, adding that follow-up would be made.

Rebuilding plans

Igoti Primary School was closed by district leaders after it was left without classrooms. Sam Opira, Chegere subcounty councillor and secretary for health and education, appealed to parents and leaders to plant trees around the school to act as windbreaks.

He said the school has four classrooms and an office built by the government, eight classrooms built by parents, one staff house built by the government, and three permanent staff houses built by parents. The district had planned to renovate the parent-built classrooms due to their dilapidated condition.

However, the government-built classrooms, which were in relatively good condition, had their roofs blown off by strong winds, leaving the school without usable classrooms. He said the school would be considered for additional funding in future.

RDC faults MPs

Resident district commissioner (RDC) Andrew Onyuk blamed some Members of Parliament in Apac for not presenting the challenges faced by residents to Parliament.

He said the matter should have been addressed by the Office of the Prime Minister and assured residents that government would intervene, including rebuilding the destroyed classrooms.