Kotido, Uganda: A women-led citizen monitoring exercise has uncovered widespread challenges affecting education service delivery in Kotido Municipality, including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, insufficient staff accommodation and low learner attendance.
The findings were presented during a public accountability interface held at the Kotido Youth Centre on Tuesday, bringing together school administrators, municipal officials, political leaders, women groups and community members to discuss ways of improving education services.
The assessment was conducted under the Women’s Amplified Voice for Accountability (WAVA) Project, implemented by Nakere Rural Women Activists (NARWOA) in partnership with the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE) with support from the Embassies of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.
Presenting findings from Kotido Army Primary School, Akidi Rose Moding, Secretary of the Kotido Female Elders Network, commended the school for its good performance in the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations and its cleanliness but highlighted serious infrastructure shortages.
She said the school, which has more than 1,000 learners, operates with only 144 desks and eight classrooms, forcing some pupils to study in shifts. Some classrooms have also been converted into dormitories due to inadequate boarding facilities.
Rose further revealed that the school has only five staff houses serving 34 teachers, three pit latrines and no dedicated staff room, with teachers currently using the library for meetings and administrative work.
She also raised concern over a cracked classroom block and the growing number of street children within Kotido Municipality, urging leaders and communities to work together to address the challenges.
Supporting the findings, Komakech Margaret, another member of the monitoring team, noted that the school lacks music teachers despite efforts to strengthen both academic and co-curricular activities.
At Lomukura Primary School, Alupo Stella, Secretary of the Kotido Central Division Women Network, reported severe overcrowding, with some desks accommodating up to six pupils while certain classrooms host more than 100 learners.
Although the school has an enrolment of 2,304 pupils, only 1,083 learners were present during the monitoring exercise, raising concerns about absenteeism and possible school dropouts.
The monitoring team also identified inadequate staff accommodation, poor sanitation facilities, limited land for school farming and sports, and weak systems for tracing children who leave school.
Amito Stella, LCI Chairperson of Narikapet, criticised poor hygiene and security conditions at Lomukura Primary School, citing an overgrown compound, an incomplete perimeter fence and the absence of changing rooms for girls.
She also noted that the school dormitory was not opened for inspection and highlighted inadequate office space for administrators.
Another monitor, Aleper Jackline, called for the installation of lightning arresters at both schools to improve learner safety.
Addressing the meeting, Narusha Kalisto, Regional Community Liaison Officer, urged communities and local leaders to secure additional land for schools to facilitate future expansion and support school farming activities.
He also warned that the increasing number of street children in Kotido Municipality could become a major social challenge if not addressed early.
A parent who attended the meeting appealed for more government support, saying overcrowded classrooms were affecting the quality of learning.
Responding to the concerns, the headteacher of Kotido Army Primary School acknowledged the challenges and appealed for support to construct a boys’ dormitory and additional staff accommodation.
The Deputy Town Clerk of Kotido Municipality welcomed the findings, saying the municipality would use the recommendations to improve education service delivery.
He noted that construction of a twin staff house at Lomukura Primary School is already underway following government’s enhancement of teachers’ salaries, while additional interventions are planned to improve sanitation and address the growing number of street children.
Representing the LCV Chairperson, former District Speaker Hon. Lodio Emmanuel Lopwot called for greater community participation in planning and budgeting processes to improve school infrastructure.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner Lokwii Peter Abrahams commended women for actively monitoring public services and promoting accountability, describing citizen participation as essential to improving government service delivery.
Kotido Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Nuria Hafsa Teko applauded FOWODE and NARWOA for empowering women to participate in governance and decision-making.
She urged women leaders to set aside political differences and work together to address poverty, hunger and poor access to basic services.
NARWOA Executive Director Jessica Ruth Ataa reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening women’s participation in governance, noting that women in urban communities also need support to effectively monitor public service delivery.
Closing the meeting, Principal Municipal Education Officer Odung Morris described education as a powerful tool for fighting poverty, disease and ignorance.
Stakeholders called for clear implementation timelines and adequate funding to address the identified gaps, warning that without sustained investment, overcrowding and inadequate learning facilities would continue undermining education outcomes in Kotido Municipality.
The interface formed part of ongoing activities under the Women’s Amplified Voice for Accountability (WAVA) Project, which seeks to strengthen citizen participation, improve accountability and enhance public service delivery.
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