Zombo MP boosts learners’ education as first term resumes
The yearly donation targets girls who score divisions one and two and boys who attain Division One from different schools within Ora County.
Zombo: The Member of Parliament for Ora County, Zombo District, Songa Biyika Lawrence, who also serves as the Chairperson of the Climate Change Committee in Parliament, has boosted education for the best-performing learners of the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) as they embark on their post-primary studies.
Through his Songa Education Foundation, the MP donated scholastic materials to over 80 learners at Zale Trading Center, Papoga Parish, Zeu Sub-County, on February 12, 2025.
The materials included; mattresses, geometrical sets, counter books and pens.
While addressing hundreds of parents and pupils gathered at Zale Trading Center, Songa emphasized that this annual initiative, which he started in 2016, aims to support struggling parents of top-performing pupils regardless of political, religious, or cultural affiliations.
“Since I joined Parliament, we have been giving awards as a token of appreciation to help struggling parents send their children to senior one. We provide scholastic materials so parents can focus on finding school fees,” Songa explained.
The yearly donation targets girls who score divisions one and two and boys who attain Division One from different schools within Ora County.
Gilbert Okumu, the Chairperson of Songa Education Foundation and Headteacher of Adhingi Primary School in Aka Sub-County, emphasized that their intervention primarily supports and encourages girls’ education.
The concern over school dropout rates was previously highlighted by Zombo District Education Officer (DEO), Nicholas Odeba, who revealed a low transition rate from Primary to Secondary Education, averaging only 10%.
In response, Okumu urged parents to support the girl child, assuring them that the foundation would conduct follow-ups on beneficiaries in their respective schools. He also warned the community against behaviors that negatively impact girls’ education.
Some parents, such as Fred Olangi from Alangi and Gabriel Thago from Aka, expressed gratitude for the timely intervention.
Pikese Quinta, a beneficiary from Pasaye Primary School, who is joining Warr Girls SS, commended MP Songa for his support, revealing that her father was struggling to raise school fees.
Similarly, Lydia Awekunimungu from Ari Primary School, upon receiving her scholastic materials, thanked Songa for the initiative and urged other leaders to follow his example.
Night Gloria, the NRM Chairperson for Zeu Sub-County, praised Songa for his continued efforts in championing education in Zombo. She called on voters to always elect result-oriented leaders for better service delivery.
Meanwhile, Rev. Father Hercules Odokotit, Parish Priest of Zeu Catholic Parish, commended Songa’s unwavering support and encouraged parents to create a peaceful and supportive environment for their children to succeed.
In the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations, Zombo District recorded, 23 pupils in division one, 835 in division two, 950 in division three,459 in division four,333 ungraded and 25 never sat for the exams.
The best pupil, who scored aggregate 8, hails from Ora County.
At the function, Silvio Jalar, District Inspector of Schools, who represented the DEO, commended Songa for being consultative and dedicated to education in Zombo. He urged for joint efforts and appealed to the MP to participate in routine school monitoring to inspire learners.
Since 2016, the Songa Education Foundation has supported learners by donating pamphlets to aid school learning. The annual donation of scholastic materials aims to enhance academic excellence in Zombo, where parental involvement in education remains low.
In relation to the above, the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) has withheld the 2024 Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) results for six primary schools in Kagadi District due to suspected examination malpractice.
This revelation was made on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 by Omukwenda Alinda, the Kagadi District Inspector of Schools, during the official analysis of the 2024 PLE results at Kagadi Council Hall in Kagadi Town Council.
According to Alinda, UNEB has summoned Kagadi district education officials along with representatives of the affected schools to defend themselves before the Ministry in Kampala.
The six schools whose results are under investigation include; Muruha Primary School in Kyaterekera Sub-County, Kyaterekera Primary School, Pretty Model Primary School (only two candidates affected), Nyambeho Primary School in Muhorro Sub-County, Bless the Children Primary School in Mabaale Town Council and Kiryanga Community Primary School in Kiryanga Sub-County.
Beyond the examination malpractice concerns, Alinda also raised alarm over the overall poor performance in government-aided schools within the district.
Notably, some sub-counties, including Kyaterekera, Rugashali, and Ndaiga, failed to register any first-grade candidates in the 2024 PLE results.
Best-Performing Schools in Kagadi District
Despite these challenges, some schools excelled in the PLE results in Private Schools are St. John’s Primary School (Muhorro), Quality Education Center (Kagadi), Stella Maris Primary School (Kagadi), St. Maria-Muhorro, and Pretty Model Primary School (Kyaterekera).
Best-Performing in UPE Schools;Pachwa Primary School, Kagadi Model Primary School, Kyomukama Primary School, Nyakasozi Primary School, and Rubona Primary School.
Top-Performing Sub-Counties in Kagadi District are; Muhorro Town Council, Kagadi Town Council, Muhorro Sub-County, Kamuroza Sub-County and Mabaale Town Council
The Kagadi education officials now await UNEB’s final decision regarding the withheld results, while district authorities continue to explore solutions to improve performance in government-aided schools.
Additional reporting by Innocent Atuganyira
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