Mayuge schools get food relief

Apr 04, 2017

The 30,000 kilograms of rice given to Mayuge district is part of the donation from the Chinese government to Uganda’s government through the office of the prime minister.

At least 150 government aided primary and secondary schools in Mayuge district have received food relief.

The 30,000 kilograms of rice given to Mayuge district is part of the donation from the Chinese government to Uganda's government through the office of the prime minister.

While receiving the food relief at the district headquarters on Monday, the Mayuge district inspector of schools, Jalia Nabirye said that a few vulnerable schools in the district were selected to receive the food item.

"Most schools are affected by food shortage but there are those who are in total food crisis," Nabirye said adding that the vulnerable schools especially those in rural areas where selected to benefit from the relief.

She urged the school head teachers to deliver the rice to pupils and students.

"This rice is not for teachers and head teachers, it is especially for pupils, therefore, it should be prepared for them to eat as lunch at school" Nabirye said.

She noted that a number of pupils don't have lunch at school and this has affected their performance.

Nabirye said: "Most pupils don't eat lunch at school, they end up studying on empty stomachs and this has led to poor performance," she said adding in most schools only 10-20 pupils out of 800 are eating lunch at school.

Patrick Ochieng  Osapat, who represented the Mayuge district Education officer, William Nadiope, said that the food relief is a gesture to parents to demonstrate the importance of eating lunch at school.

Haruna Ntale, a district official warned parents against taking rice for their self-gains but should deliver it to the beneficiaries.

"We know there is food insecurity in communities but don't be tempted to take rice to your respective homes," Ntale said. He warned head teachers against selling the rice to communities.

Bashir Kayeyera, the Mayuge district chairperson for UNATU thanked the government for the intervention.

Daniel Kasira, the head teacher for Wabulungu primary school in Wairasa Sub County, extended his gratitude to the office of the prime minister and said that the rice is a relief to pupils.

The schools got 100-300 kilograms of rice depending on the total population of pupils and students.

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