Zombo, Uganda: At least seven primary schools in Zombo District have received a combined Shs280 million to support infrastructure improvement and strengthen institutional governance under the Alochi ku Somu II project, implemented by a consortium of NGOs with funding from Swiss organisation CO-OPERAID.
The grants were officially handed over on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at Rest Inn Hotel in Paidha Town Council, in a ceremony presided over by Zombo District Inspector of Schools Mr Silvio Jalar.
In the Educational Promotion category, Destiny Nursery and Primary School emerged top, receiving Shs55 million, followed by Kango Primary School with Shs35 million.
In the Institutional Accountability category, the awarded schools were Awusonzi Primary School – Shs55m, Zombo Lower Primary School – Shs45m, Alube Primary School – Shs40m, Ogalo Primary School – Shs30m and Ari Primary School – Shs20m.
CEFORD Project Officer Ms Juliet Pirango said the project follows a rigorous and competitive selection process. “This project is competitive. We invite schools to apply, conduct verification, and present reports to an independent jury that selects the winners,” she explained.
She noted that out of 29 schools that picked application forms, 25 returned them, but one was disqualified for having benefited previously, leaving 24 eligible schools.
Pirango cautioned beneficiary institutions against misusing the funds, warning that deviation from intended project activities constitutes corruption and resource abuse. She encouraged schools to work closely with political leaders and mobilise communities for effective implementation.
District Community Development Officer and Jury Chairperson Mr Samuel Ocaki emphasised collaborative leadership and commended COOPERAID for its consistent support to Zombo’s education sector.
CEFORD Project Coordinator Mr John Bosco Okaya announced that the funds will be deposited in an escrow account managed by CEFORD to prevent misuse. He advised schools to hold local award ceremonies to sensitise stakeholders about cost-sharing and the project objectives.
Nebbi NGO-Forum Project Officer Mr Alfred Ogenmungu and Life Concern representative Mr Denis Ocuna reaffirmed their commitment to supporting teacher training, strengthening SMCs, and expanding youth skills development programmes.
The Alochi ku Somu II project is concluding its 2025 phase, covering Warr, Atyak, Zombo Town Council, Paidha Sub-County and Paidha Town Council. In 2026, interventions will shift to Alangi, Zeu, Kango, Aka and Zombo Town Council, before concluding in 2027 in Nyapea, Athuma, Jangokoro, Abanga and Padea Town Council, supporting 21 schools across all 15 sub-counties in three years.
The initiative addresses longstanding challenges in Zombo’s education sector, where many of the district’s 92 government-aided primary schools struggle with dilapidated infrastructure, dropout rates as high as 10 per cent, and persistent cases of teenage pregnancy and early marriage.
CO-OPERAID has been a long-term development partner in Zombo, supporting projects in education, WASH, and community empowerment.
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