Bunyoro schools, churches benefit from over 4,000 iron sheets govt donation

Several schools and churches in Bunyoro region have benefited from a government donation of 4,772 iron sheets.

The donation from the Office of the Prime Minister through the Bunyoro affairs ministry is expected to benefit institutions with either old and dilapidated iron sheets or structures that were de-roofed by hailstorms.

While handing over the iron sheets to some of the beneficiaries at a function that took place at Kikuube district stores located at Kikuube Police Station, Bunyoro affairs state minister Janepher Namuyangu said the iron sheets were given to over 20 institutions across nine districts that make up Bunyoro region.

St Michael Community Primary School of Kakumiro district got 120 pieces, Kibararu Primary School of Kukuube district received 100 pieces, Bwijanga Secondary School of Masindi district received 100 pieces, and Kabutukuru church in Masindi district received 150 pieces.

Other beneficiaries are Duhaga Boys Primary School, Christ the way church and Christian fellowship church from Hoima city received 100 iron sheets each, Kiryandongo district-based St Charles Rwanga catholic church got 400 pieces, Nyakakunguru COU Primary School received 62, and Kyama Catholic Church got 200.

Namuyangu said the donation was initiated after the schools and churches made a request to OPM, appealing for support.

She urged the beneficiaries to ensure prompt installation and maintain transparency in their usage, adding that some institutions, such as Muteme Primary School in Kikuube, were given iron sheets but have stored them for over a year.

She reiterated the Government's commitment to enhancing the education sector by providing necessary infrastructure, teachers and resources required for quality education.

She noted that with the guidance of the President, the ministry recently offered heifers to families in the region to improve their livelihood and that the ministry has procured hoes, sewing machines and grinding milling machines which will soon be delivered to the selected beneficiaries.

Namuyangu explained that this initiative serves as affirmative action to address historical injustices faced by the region.

“Our mission is to improve the lives of Ugandans, and I am personally proud to be part of this initiative. Special thanks go to President Museveni for his unwavering commitment to our people,” she said.

Namuyangu also encouraged the community to actively engage in government programmes such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and GROW, emphasising that despite ongoing poverty in Bunyoro, the Government is making strides to address these gaps.

“There are still cases of poverty in Bunyoro, but the Government is making efforts to tackle these issues. I appeal to those who haven’t participated in these programmes to take interest and benefit from the funds available for transforming their lives,” she urged.

Stop involving development with politics

Namuyangu also warned the people of Bunyoro against involving politics in development-related issues.

"We offered Iron sheets to Ngogoma Primary School in Buhaguzi East in Buhimba sub-county, but the local leaders incited the public and rejected the iron sheets because they did not like the area MP, whom they thought was behind the delivery of the items. People should separate politics from development,” she said.

Kikuube district-based Kibararu Primary School headteacher Florence Kabagenyi described the donation as big relief, adding that the school has been suffering from lack of space for the pupils after a hailstorm de-roofed two of the school's classroom blocks last year.

Peter Banura, the Kikuube district chairperson, requested additional support from the government, highlighting that many schools in their area still require better infrastructure.