Buikwe parents protest diocese’s move to demolish school building

Parents of Kawolo Church of Uganda Primary School in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe District, have protested a move by Mukono Diocesan authorities to demolish a new classroom block at the school.
For the last two months, the school administrators have been pleading with the diocesan officials not to pull down the building, saying a lot of money was spent on the project.
However, the latter insists the building was constructed without clearance from the diocese and above all, it “obstructs” St Andrew’s Church, Kawolo, which is in the same vicinity.
The disputed classroom block was built last year by Hailey Bury Youth Trust Charity, a non-governmental organisation, to house infants in the school’s nursery section.
Mr Dennis Muwonge, one of the parents, yesterday said it is unreasonable to pull down the building even if it obstructs the church as diocesan officials claim.
“When they (diocesan officials) say the new classroom block obstructs the front view of the church, they are lying. There is something they are not telling the public. But we are warning them not to dare touch that building,” he said.
Mr Muwonge said the school is stuck with dilapidated structures and it is only the new donated building that has changed face of the school.
“The school has existed for many years with only old buildings, if the Church failed to erect new structures and Good Samaritans came and assisted us, why are they (diocesan officials) envious of this development?” Mr Muwonge asked.
Ms Annet Namuddu, another parent, said some church schools in rural areas have failed to develop simply because of irrational decisions taken by some leaders.
“Instead of tackling other issues affecting the school, they are having sleepless nights over a classroom block whose construction they did not even fund,” Ms Namuddu said.
The chairperson of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA), Mr George Muyinda, said during the initial stages of building the classroom block, they had meetings with diocesan leaders and resolved that construction goes on but were surprised to receive communication that the diocese wants the structure pulled down.
“Surprisingly, after completion of the project, we got instructions from Bishop William Ssebagala and archdeacon that we should demolish the newly constructed structure,” Mr Muyinda said.
He said they have tried to fix an appointment with the bishop to resolve the impasse but they have not yet succeeded.
“Whenever we go to the diocese to meet the bishop, he does not give us audience. He always tells us that he is busy and we are also tired,” Mr Muyinda said.
Mr Denis Musisi, the school management development committee chairperson, said the diocese has been accusing them of failure to comply with the directive to pull down the new structure ever since the building was handed over to them in February this year.
The Mukono Diocesan communications officer, Mr Derrick Kaddu, urged the parents and Christians to remain calm, saying the matter will soon be resolved.
“There is really no cause for alarm. What they (parents) are complaining about is being handled by the synod and a final decision will be communicated to them soon,” he said.

“The diocese wrote to the school management to halt the construction works, but the building was already complete,” he said.
Mr Vincent Katumba, the Kitega Village chairperson, said he has heard about plans by the diocese to demolish at classroom block at Kawolo Church of Uganda Primary School, but residents are ready to protect it .
“It is really a disagreement between school management and the diocese, but we are ready to talk to the bishop. If he gives us audience, we cannot allow a new building to be demolished for reasons we don’t understand, “ He said.
Ms Florence Wanyana, the school head teacher and also wife to retired Bishop of Mukono Diocese, Eria Paul Luzinda, said it was her personal effort to look for funders of the classroom block and wonders why the diocese want it demolished . “ I looked for good friends who helped us build the new block ,and when I get an opportunity of meeting the president , I will also request him for more buildings to see that school infrastructure improves ,” She said
Currently, government is building two six classroom blocks at the school.

The Mukono Diocesan Communications Officer, Mr Derrick Kaddu Mbojjana, urged the parents and Christians to remain calm, saying the matter will soon be resolved.
“There really no cause for alarm. What they (parents) are complaining about is being handled by the synod and a final decision will be communicated to them soon,” he said.

In a recent synod meeting held at St. Phillips and Andrew’s Cathedral on April 26, the Bishop of Mukono Diocese, Right Rev. James William Ssebaggala noted since the school administration failed to listen to the diocese before starting the project , the new classroom block has to be demolished.
The diocese is already having a disagreement with Ministry of Education after its officials refused to surrender a title deed for a piece of land where government plans to build a seed secondary school at Ndwaddemutwe Village in Nakifuma Town Council, Mukono District. The diocesan officials say they are suspicious of government intentions to have a title for land which belongs to the Church.