Kabale District leaders have halted the commissioning of a newly constructed classroom block at Kentare Primary School in Mwendo Sub-county after an inspection uncovered what they described as serious construction defects, prompting fresh concerns over the quality of public infrastructure projects.
The decision was made during an inspection led by Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Michael Muramira Kyakashari and Kabale District LCV Chairperson Denis Nzeirwe Ndyomugyenyi, who halted the handover of the building until all identified defects are corrected.
The inspection team cited numerous shortcomings, including peeling wall plaster, poorly finished screed flooring, substandard timber used for doors and window shutters, and an undersized office for the head teacher.
Leaders also faulted the contractor for failing to comply with environmental and social safeguards that formed part of the project requirements, including planting trees and establishing grass around the school compound.
Gideon Muhereza, the representative of the foundation body, Anthony Twijukye, the Lay Reader of Kentare Church of Uganda, Josephat Ayebare, the Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and LC1 Chairperson of Mwendo Village, together with the School Management Committee, accused the contractor, Muhiire and Sons Company Limited, of failing to share the Bills of Quantities with the community.
They further alleged that the contractor failed to construct a proper concrete foundation along the front section of the classroom block, instead laying only a concrete slab, a move they said raises questions about the building’s long-term structural integrity.
CUE IN TWIJUKYE & AYEBARE…ON THE MATTER….RR//
LCV Chairperson Ndyomugyenyi also criticized Senior Civil Engineer Levi Nkansiime, the project site supervisor, for what he described as inadequate supervision. He questioned why the supervising engineer was unable to produce the project’s structural drawings during the inspection.
District Engineer Januario Bagamuhunda, who was asked to assess the concerns, recommended that the classroom block should not be commissioned until every defect identified during the inspection has been rectified.
Deputy RDC Kyakashari warned that the building could be susceptible to damage from strong winds because the front section lacks adequate supporting pillars, potentially compromising its stability and the safety of learners.
Following the assessment, district leaders unanimously resolved to suspend the commissioning of the classroom block and directed Muhiire and Sons Company Limited to immediately address all the defects before the facility can be officially handed over for use.
CUE IN NZEIRWE, BAGAMUHUNDA & KYAKASHARI…ON THE BUILDING….RR.ENG//
Meanwhile, leaders commissioned a new three-classroom block at Kansinga Primary School in Kaharo Sub-county after expressing satisfaction with the quality of work executed by the contractor.
The classroom block, constructed by Famdec Enterprises at a cost of Shs189 million, was funded by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development under the Transitional Development Grant.
Speaking during the commissioning, Kabale District Education Officer, Moses Tumwijukye Bwengye, said the new classrooms will ease congestion that had forced Primary Three to Primary Five pupils to study in overcrowded classes.
Bwengye explained that the district secured the funding after petitioning the ministry over the school’s urgent need for additional classroom space. He also recognized Drake Mutahakana, a native of Kaharo Sub-county working at the ministry, for supporting the district’s request.
He urged the school administration, teachers, parents and the School Management Committee to properly maintain the facility and use the improved learning environment to revive the school’s academic performance.
Kabale Deputy Resident District Commissioner Kyakashari also challenged the school to improve academic performance, noting that the institution had not produced outstanding examination results in recent years.
He further instructed the contractor to install gutters to effectively channel rainwater and preserve the new classroom block.
