Refunded OPM money builds Acholi schools

By Norman Katende

THE Norwegian government has used the sh7.808bn refunded by the Prime Minister’s Office to build and renovate 24 schools in the Acholi sub-region, including building classrooms, teachers’ quarters and lavatories.

The Norwegian ambassador to Uganda Thorbjorn Gaustadsaether handed over one of the schools Pachilo-Gunya in Amuru to represent the handover of the different schools in Amuru.

“Everyone knows that the funds had been misappropriated under the PRDP project and Norway like other countries demanded that the money should be repaid back by the Ugandan government. They gave us the money and it took even a tougher time to convince the Norway government that we can be able to utilise these money without going through the government,” said Gaustadsaether.

Gaustadsaether added that they convinced the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), which was winding up its business in the country to extend its stay by one year so that they could implement the programme.

“Today, we are proud that we have achieved what we wanted to do some years ago and the African child in Northern Uganda will at least have an extra school to attend in a good environment,” he said.

Different schools in the Acholi sub-region benefited from the region with one or all the projects including Agago (04), Amuru (03), Gulu (02), Kitgum (02) Lamwo (03), Nwoya (09) and Pader (03).

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Gaustadsaether appealed to the local community to look after the school as this is the only way the Norwegians who contributed money through their taxes can be happy. Photo by Norman Katende

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“Most schools benefited from teachers’ quarters, which means that we should not have more excuses of teachers’ absenteeism because of the long distance from schools among others. Also the children who have been studying in trees get an opportunity to study in better shelters instead of the ramshackle buildings or trees.”

The total construction work covered 104 schools with furniture for pupils and teachers in 23 schools, 27 classrooms were rehabilitated, 230 school latrine stances for pupils and teachers, 12 new offices  and stores, 84 teachers housing units with their own toilet stances and three boreholes.

Gaustadsaether appealed to the local community to look after the school as this is the only way the Norwegians who contributed money through their taxes can be happy.

“We will also require commitment from the education ministry and government in general to ensure that teachers are posted to these schools and they are also in government infrastructure,” he appealed to the government through the local area representatives.

Lamin Manjang, the NRC country director noted that with the history of the LRA war the services in the region needed some help.

Atubamaki Anthony, the LC V chairperson said; “we will work to see that the schools are coded and what we need is to make sure that the community cares for these schools and shows their appreciation.”