Commissioner wants law on population growth control

Feb 15, 2015

The assistant commissioner Primary Education, Dr. Mukasa-Lusambu, has proposed that a law should be enacted to control population growth in the country

By Francis Emorut & Agatha Mutebi                  

The assistant commissioner Primary Education, Dr. Mukasa-Lusambu, has proposed that a law should be enacted to control population growth in the country.

Lusambu argued that in order to match education facilities the number of pupils should be commiserate to the existing facilities.

He said according to the recent population census 1.8million children are born annually.

"I wish there could be a law to stop people sleeping early," Lusambu said.

Retired Bishop Zac Niringiye reads corruption scandals reported in the country before the assistant commissioner Primary Education Mukasa-Lusambu  during the release of the status report of Universal Primary Education  at Paul II Justice and Peace Centre in Kampala on Friday Feb 13, 2015. Photo/Francis Emorut

In essence he was putting a message across that the earlier people go to bed chances of children being produced are higher.

"Our population growth is very high. You can never satisfy the education needs of this country," he said.

He said Uganda's population growth is among the highest in the world at 3.6%.

The commissioner also reasoned that Uganda has the highest family size in the world.

On average every woman produces 7 children.

Lusambu was responding to calls by education activists who want adequate education facilities for both teachers and pupils enrolled in the Universal Primary Education (UPE).

This follows a study conducted by John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre in 120 primary schools in north, north eastern Uganda which found that pupils' teacher class ratio was at 74:1 which is 46.9% against the recommended 50:1.

The survey as indicates that 75% of schools visited had insufficient latrines.

Gloria Atwine research assistant while presenting the findings of the survey in Kampala pointed out that most of the schools visited had old buildings which have never been renovated and 47.8% didn't have library.

The commissioner clashed with cleric cum political activist Bishop Zac Niringiye, over corruption by government officials with the latter saying education resources have been swindled by civil servants and politicians.

Is corruption real? The commissioner was asked.

"I don't know. Those who are corrupt are taken to court," Lusambu answered.

This prompted Bishop Niringiye to ask the commissioner where he was living.

He pulled the Black Monday publication by civil society actors and showed the commissioner the corruption scandals.

The Bishop was backed an activist Ellion Ayenebyona who said governance issue in the country needs to be sorted out to stamp out corruption.

Sr. Fenanda Pellizzer, the director of John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre stressed the need to address education gaps in the country.
 

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