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Renewed hope as work on Shs2.9b Obongi school project resumes 

Namisindwa officials led by the Resident District Commissioner, Mr Imran Muluga, inspect Mukoto Seed Secondary School in June 2024. The school is one of those constructed under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer programme. PHOTO | YAHUDU KITUNZI

What you need to know:

  • Residents of Gopele, who have faced challenges due to limited access to secondary education, hope that completing the new school will reduce the hardship for students who currently travel long distances to study.

After months of delay, construction of the Shs2.9 billion Gopele Seed Secondary School in Obongi District has resumed, bringing renewed hope to the local community. The project stalled due to delayed payment of Shs205 million and land title acquisition challenges.

The project, which is funded under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer (UgIFT) programme, is being undertaken by Spider Construction Company. It was originally slated for completion by December 31, 2024.

In an interview with Monitor on February 3, Mr Steward Madege, the site contractor, said: “Workers are on the ground. We faced payment delays, but the issue has been resolved. We are committed to delivering quality work—anyone is welcome to visit and see the progress.” 

He, however, did not specify when the works would be completed for students to begin using the facility.

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Obongi, Mr Benson Otim, said there were complications in securing a land title for the extended school grounds. 

“There was additional land acquired for the school, but it did not fit within the existing land title. We had to finalize the title for the extended land before proceeding with construction,” Mr Otim explained.

The Gimara Sub-county chairperson, Mr George Lomo, said: “There was a need to extend land for a football pitch, as the original plan placed latrines too close to the classrooms. We had to negotiate with the community for this adjustment.” 

He noted that although the classroom structures are complete, the windows and doors are still unfinished, and the latrines remain incomplete. “We had hoped that the school would be ready for this term, but work is still ongoing,” he added.

Residents of Gopele, who have faced challenges due to limited access to secondary education, hope that completing the new school will reduce the hardship for students who currently travel long distances to study.

Ms Angela Jella, a resident, said: “Many children from Maduga miss out on secondary education because schools are too far.”