Two schools in Bwama Parish, Kitumba Sub County, Ndorwa West County in Kabale District, Bwama Primary School and Lake Bunyonyi Secondary School are teetering on the brink of collapse due to years of neglect, inadequate infrastructure, and unfulfilled political promises.
Nicholas Kajumba, the head teacher of Lake Bunyonyi Secondary School, paints a grim picture of the situation. He says the school buildings are in ruins, with gaping cracks and leaking roofs.
Teachers’ houses are on the verge of collapse, some already rendered uninhabitable after heavy winds on March 15 blew off their roofs. As a result, several teachers were forced to find shelter far from school and now walk long distances to teach.
Isaac Kamukama, the school’s deputy head teacher, reveals that three teachers are currently crammed into a single dilapidated, dust-filled room.
“We are living in appalling conditions,” he says, “and this directly affects morale and the quality of education we can offer.”
CUE IN KAMUKAMA…….ON THE SCHOOL……RR//
At neighboring Bwama Primary School, the challenges are equally dire. Deputy head teacher Grace Tumusiime highlights the daily struggle of learners who rely on unsafe transport across Lake Bunyonyi.
“We don’t have enough boats or life jackets,” she explains. “These children risk their lives every day just to get to school.”
CUE IN TUMUSIIME…..ON CHALLENGES…….RR//
The situation is compounded by the fact that the schools are still using structures built in 1955 by missionary Dr. Leonard Sharp. Aron Twinomujuni, the NRM Chairperson for Bwama Village, says these ancient buildings now have deep cracks and pose a danger to both staff and students.
Twinomujuni laments the inaction of the area’s Member of Parliament, David Kwesiga Bahati, despite the community’s repeated pleas.
“We shared these concerns with Minister Bahati, and he promised to help. But years later, nothing has changed,” he said.
In contrast, Counsel Eliab Naturinda Mporera, an NRM aspirant for Ndorwa West County MP, has pledged to prioritize the education sector. He promised to push for urgent renovations and advocate for long-term support for the schools.
As these schools struggle to stay standing, the future of hundreds of learners hangs in the balance. The question remains: how long will these communities wait for action?
