Today, the Minister for Housing Dr. Chris Baryomunsi were in shocked by the lack of proper investment into schools, that are in the sub-counties in Uganda. Like it was a revelation to him, the man who worked for years within the Ministry of Health. Where he left behind a system of lacking blood, medicines and equipment. Also, lacking salaries and other basics, therefore it is a big thing to give beds and covers, when politicians are in an area of a hospital. Clearly, the Minister didn’t leave a well-working Health Care before becoming Minister for Housing.
This is revelation of his came in the newly created district Namisindwa, which they planned before the General Election of 2016, that has been done for better service deliver. Clearly, the making of smaller districts isn’t paying off. Especially not for schools and for others things the state is supposed to deliver. This district came out of the Manafwa District and was the former “East Bulubo County”. So the County, which became a district hasn’t become a magic wand, like the State has told the public. This was also done as a promise, as the President promised this during rallies in 2015 in the region before the Gneeral Election in 2016.
“Minister shocked by state of schools in Namisindwa district. #NTVNews An abrupt visit to Busiru primary in Bukokha Sub County, which has a population of over 800 pupils shocked the Minister for housing Dr. Chris Baryomunsi who could not believe the conditions under which the pupils have to study” (NTV Uganda, 02.03.2018).
When we look at the budget for the school in the new district it got in 2017/18, where there was enrolled 75144 pupils. The budget for their well-being and classrooms on the Primary Schools levels are really meager, nearly a joke. For 312101 Classroom Construction and Rehabilitation, in the whole district, it was a total of 176,000 shillings. That isn’t much, 312104 Other Structures got 134,000 shillings. The last post is 312203 Furniture & Fixtures got 33,043 Shillings. In total for betterment of the all the primary schools in the district it got 343,000 to fix the schools and buildings. This is for 95 Primary Schools and in the first quarter. Meaning it will be 4 quarters in a budget year. Still that is not more than 1,372,000 Shillings on these post for 95 Primary schools and their upkeep. To put in international sense, it isn’t more than the $ 376 US Dollars!
Therefore, it is not strange to see the state of the Busiru Primary School in Bukokha Sub County in the Namisindwa District. This school couldn’t be priority and if they we’re all getting equal share of the funding from the state. The school would get in 2018 the total of $4 US Dollars to Classroom Construction, Furniture and Other Structures. Clearly, you will not get much for 4 Dollars, if anything more than a pencil. The Bank of Uganda, even buy more expensive pens to their employees, than the expenses of each school a year here. They are clearly reckless and showing mismanagement. You don’t need rocket science to understand the funding is inadequate and good enough. Just to put the 4 dollars into perspective on Supermarket.Co.Ug, the cheapest lightbulb cost $2,90 and therefore, if they buy one, than the budget is already cracked for the year. Just think about that, one light bulb and the budget is used up!
The Minister of Housing Baryomunsi, should look into the budget and look into their allocations of funds if they care about the schools. Maybe not put so much of the funds into the State House, Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Defense. If these we’re allocated elsewhere, it might generate change, but I know that is far-fetched idea, because no one want to insult the intelligence Museveni. Even if his Republic, couldn’t care less about the state of the schools.
If the Minister and his fellow Members of Parliament cared, the 95 Primary Schools in Namisindwa District would get more than 4 dollars a piece to fix school building. Can afford one light bulb and than the budget is used. They cannot afford more than that, if the schools get similar amount, in theory that will not happen. So some will get “lots” while other “less”. Therefore, the 4 dollars are not proper, but it gives you a sense of the lack of funds. Peace.
MinBane 