Zombo RDC closes school over dilapidated structures, lack of sanitary facilities
Despite its challenges, Mvule Primary School recently received 30 million UGX from the NGO CEFORD to improve infrastructure.
Zombo: The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Zombo, Festus Ayikobua, has ordered the temporary closure of Mvule Primary School for one week due to dilapidated structures and inadequate sanitary facilities.
The decision was made during an impromptu inspection on Thursday, March 13, 2025, when the RDC and his team visited the government-aided school, located in Central Ward, Paidha Town Council.
Mvule Primary School is among the 92 public primary schools in Zombo District but faces severe challenges, including insufficient space, poor infrastructure, and inadequate sanitation facilities.
During the inspection, officials found students studying in makeshift structures with open roofs, exposing them to scorching heat and rainfall.
Other major concerns included; only one latrine stance serving 436 pupils and seven teachers, lack of clean water, forcing pupils to fetch water from Zingili stream, far from the school and unofficial receipts being issued and exorbitant school fees of 44,000 UGX per child per year.
The RDC criticized the school administration for failing to account for annual capitation grants ranging from 13 to 16 million UGX, which the government provides for school operations.
“You should hold an emergency meeting to seek solutions to these challenges. The government is giving you funds—what are you using them for?” Ayikobua questioned.
After assessing the dire situation, Ayikobua announced the immediate closure of the school and directed the learners to return home until Wednesday next week, when temporary solutions should be in place.
“I’m closing this school now. We don’t want our children to suffer eye problems in the future. There is no latrine stance—we don’t want them to contract diseases. Go home and come back next Wednesday,” he declared.
Mvule Primary School, which only goes up to Primary Five, has three permanent classroom blocks and several makeshift structures.
“We have one latrine stance that both boys and girls, including teachers, share. The government should really help us,” one Primary Five pupil said.
“When it rains, we don’t have lessons. The sunlight gets directly into our books, which affects our eyes,” another student lamented.
“I have to wash my clothes four times a week because of the dust. Desks are few, and when it rains, we mix with Primary Two pupils,” a female learner added.
A 1,000-litre water tank was installed years ago to harvest rainwater, but it lacks a gable, rendering it useless. The RDC questioned why the school had failed to fix such a basic issue.
The school’s headteacher, Doreen Amia, was absent during the visit. However, the Deputy Headteacher, Albert Kigongo, acknowledged the poor conditions and expressed hope that the RDC’s intervention would bring positive change.
When asked about the mismanagement of funds, Kigongo struggled to respond, stating: “Mr. RDC, some of us have not been in this school for long. We can’t explain everything honestly.”
However, he added that some money had been spent on window curtains a claim disproved when officials found only manila paper covering the windows.
The Assistant RDC of Zombo, Bruno Manano, discovered four unofficial receipts issued to students, raising concerns over financial mismanagement.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has outlawed school fees in public primary schools, insisting that education should be free. However, many school administrators argue that government funding is insufficient to run schools effectively.
Despite its challenges, Mvule Primary School recently received 30 million UGX from the NGO CEFORD to improve infrastructure. However, limited space remains a major issue.
The school administration has appealed for further support from the Ministry of Education and Sports to address longstanding infrastructure and resource gaps.
Meanwhile, similar cases of poor school conditions have been reported in Zombo District. Last year, Lwala Primary School in Warr Town Council faced backlash for denying Primary One pupils access to end-of-term exams due to unpaid fees.
As Mvule Primary School awaits improvements, the RDC has vowed to monitor progress closely to ensure that students return to a safer and more conducive learning environment.
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