Kibuku, (UG):– Kirika Sub-county leaders Friday celebrated a transformative milestone as the community gathered for the official handover of Kirika Seed Secondary School.
The event was attended by the Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs and the Woman Member of Parliament for Kibuku, Hon. Jennifer Namuyangu Kacha, alongside local leaders, community members, and eager students who witnessed this significant advancement in educational infrastructure.
The school, built by Amuria Farmers and Transporters Limited. Participants features an administration block, three classroom blocks, an ICT and Science block, and essential housing for teachers.
Kibuku District engineer, Mr Diploma Fred highlighted the contractor’s efficiency, noting that the project was completed ahead of schedule. The total contract value exceeded 2.5 billion Ugandan shillings, with an additional increment of 755 million shillings to address unforeseen requirements.
The speeches that followed resonated with gratitude and optimism for the future. Chairperson LC I Gonsya Sowali expressed heartfelt appreciation to God for this achievement, acknowledging the numerous challenges faced during construction.
He urged members of Parliament and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to mobilize efforts for an official presidential commissioning of the school, emphasizing the need for unity among political leaders to drive development in Kibuku. He also called on the government to prioritize hiring local teachers who played a vital role in the school’s establishment.
Kirika Sub-County LCIII Chairperson, Mr Kisense Richard Francis commended the community’s unwavering support for the project, affirming that the success seen today was due to the active involvement of Kirika residents. He recognized the contractor for their exemplary work and urged continued cooperation from the district team.
Mr Kisene noted that Kirika Seed Secondary School stands out in quality compared to other seed schools in Kibuku District, including Kabweri and Kasasira.
The School Board of Governors Representative, Ms Naula Dorothy Mulomi expressed gratitude to Minister Namuyangu Kacha and reiterated the importance of prioritizing current teachers for recruitment, ensuring that those who fought for the school’s establishment receive due recognition.
On his part, the headteacher Mr. Kaleka Peter shared the inspiring story of the school’s journey, which began in 2018 after securing land from the Church of Uganda. Starting with just seven students, the school has now grown to 467 students 238 girls and 229 boys.
Mr Kaleka candidly addressed the challenges faced, such as a lack of laboratory equipment and inadequate seating, yet expressed hope for the school’s future. The institution has already conducted two sittings for the Uganda Certificate of Education, yielding promising results despite these obstacles.
District Education Officer Wamika Christopher discussed the government’s commitment to equipping the school with computers and laboratory resources, emphasizing the necessity of proper stewardship of these assets. He reminded teachers to remain vigilant for upcoming recruitment processes.
The contractor acknowledged several challenges faced during construction, including delays in payments and water supply issues, but expressed gratitude for the local support received throughout the project. Hon. Majanga Augustine Moleka commended the current district leadership for their unwavering support, contrasting it with previous administrations that had hindered educational growth.
Chairperson LC V, Hon. Hajji Nakeba Muhamad, thanked the Ugandan government for its financial support and encouraged parents to continue their commitment to their children’s education. He also called for environmental stewardship, urging the headteacher to plant trees on school grounds and discouraging parents from using the area as a grazing yard.
RDC Samuel Musiho emphasized the importance of merit-based teacher appointments and encouraged volunteer teachers to prepare for recruitment opportunities. He also urged the Board of Governors and the District Education Officer to clarify the school’s name, as the community refers to it as St. John Seed Secondary School Kirika, while the government recognizes it as Kirika Seed Secondary School.
Minister Namuyangu concluded the event by celebrating the government’s vision of establishing secondary schools in every sub-county, noting that Kibuku now boasts eight secondary schools. She expressed gratitude to the Kirika Sub-county leaders for their cooperation and encouraged parents to support their children with uniforms, school supplies, and nutritious meals.
The event culminated in the ceremonial handover of the school keys to Chief Administrative Officer Samuel Ruhweija, symbolizing a new chapter in educational development for Kirika Sub-county. As the community looks to the future, the establishment of Kirika Seed Secondary School stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for the youth of Kibuku District, promising to enhance educational access and quality for generations to come. With this new school, the community is truly turning over a new leaf in the pursuit of knowledge and progress.
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