Dr Wakida fumes after prize cow for best Kibuku school stolen during debate finals

Kibuku, Uganda:- What was meant to be a joyful climax to an inspiring inter-school debate competition in Kibuku District turned chaotic on Friday after a prized cow worth Shs1.5 million was stolen during the final event.

The cow, donated by Dr. Patrick Wakida, a member of the Board of Directors at the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) and CEO of Research World International Ltd., was meant to be awarded to the winning team of the highly contested debate finals. However, opportunistic thieves reportedly took advantage of a heavy storm that swept through the venue, disrupting the event and scattering participants.

The rainstorm dismantled tents and left hundreds of attendees soaked and confused, as the available classrooms could not accommodate the large turnout. Amid the disarray, the prize cow vanished.

Dr. Wakida, who had been invited as the Guest of Honour, was visibly disappointed by the theft and called upon Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Samuel Musiho and Deputy RDC Matia Mulindwa Kagugube to instruct police to expedite investigations and recover the stolen cow.

“I had to pull UGX 1.2 million from my pocket and give it to the organizing committee to purchase another cow, using money I had set aside to appreciate outstanding performers,” Dr. Wakida said.

The inter-school debate competition was organized to improve pupils’ confidence and fluency in English, a language central to national examinations. Kibuku District was ranked second-to-last in the 2023 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE), prompting district leaders to revamp co-curricular activities like debate.

Kibuku Deputy RDC Matia Mulindwa, who was tasked to monitor education and production in the district, said a major challenge to learners’ comprehension was the lack of English reading and speaking practice. He emphasized that debate was reinstated to address this.

The six schools that reached the finals included Nampiido Primary School, Molukochomo Primary School, Mother Care Nursery and Primary School, Buseta Primary School, and Ebenezer Ministries Nursery and Primary School. The finals were hosted at Kibuku Primary School.

Leaders Pledge Continued Support

LC5 Chairperson Hajji Mohammed Nakeba, who also donated two cows for the event, expressed delight at the students’ performance and pledged even more support in the future.

“The English spoken here today has touched me. Next year, I’ll contribute three cows,” said Nakeba, praising teachers for nurturing eloquence and critical thinking among learners.

Dr. Wakida, while applauding all stakeholders, singled out Deputy RDC Mulindwa for leading efforts to uncover the root causes of poor academic performance in the district. However, he also voiced concern over civil servants allegedly engaging in politics at the expense of service delivery.

“Let me declare here that whether you are CAO, RDC, or DPC, if you venture into politics, I will not tolerate it. We are here because of education. Leave politics to those addicted to it,” Dr. Wakida warned.

While hinting at future political ambitions in Kabweri County, he criticized current area MPs, including State Minister Jennifer Namuyangu and MPs Stephen Mauku Mugole (Kabweri) and Herbert Tom Kinobere (Kibuku), for missing the event.

Winners Announced

Kibuku District Education Officer Christopher Wamika confirmed that all primary schools in the district participated in the competition, with debates held at zonal, county, and district levels.

Tirinyi Primary School emerged the winner among government-aided schools, while Mother Care Nursery and Primary School topped the private school category, each taking home a cow and a trophy.

The District Inspector of Schools, Mrs. Letucia Nabirye applauded “Hajji Mohammed Nakeba the didtrict chairperson for the two cows, Dr. Wakida for a cow, scholastic materials (200 dozens of exercise books), commitment to tun district assessment tests.”

She also recognized and expressed gratitude to “Robert Keno and his family for the contribution of trophies, medals, mathematical sets, pens and 200 dozens of exercise books, Minister Jennifer Namuyangu for food, MP Kinobere for shs’300,000 for transporting participants.”

RDC Musiho also urged parents to fulfill their educational obligations and emphasized that no child should be sent away from school over unpaid dues agreed upon at the community level.