The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Henry Musasizi, has urged education stakeholders to ensure that funds allocated for infrastructure development in government-aided schools are fully utilised.
The message was delivered by Ndorwa West MP Eliab Naturinda Mporera, who represented Minister Musasizi as chief guest at the third Annual Peace Festival hosted by Kigezi College Butobere in Kabale Municipality on Saturday.
The festival, organised by Rotaract Sunrise Kampala, brought together students and staff from 14 secondary and primary schools from southwestern Uganda.
Minister Musasizi said the government has allocated Shs3 billion towards the rehabilitation of Kigezi College Butobere, commonly known as SINIYA, whose buildings constructed in the 1950s have deteriorated over the years.
“The government has already allocated three billion shillings for this project, and the Minister has instructed me to inform you, Mr Headmaster, and the entire school community, that these funds must be utilised to their fullest potential,” Mporera stated.
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Minister Musasizi, who served as head prefect of Kigezi College Butobere in 2000, also urged students to remain in school and complete their education, saying their choices will shape the country’s future.
“The Minister asked me to remind you that education is an equaliser. When you consider his humble beginnings in Mpungu Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county, Rubanda District, rising from there to become Head Prefect and now Minister of Finance, you realise that education truly is an equaliser,” Mporera added.
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In an interview with this website, Rotaract Sunrise Kampala president Joan Mirembe Florence said the third Annual Peace Festival focused on promoting peace among young people through principles of collective responsibility.
She said the festival addressed issues including climate change, waste management, mental health, drug abuse and school dropouts.
Mirembe added that the programme also sought to equip girls with knowledge on managing health challenges related to their sexuality, including menstruation.
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Mirembe said a needs assessment was conducted before Kigezi College Butobere was selected to host the festival.
Over the two days, students, staff from the 14 schools and community members participated in skills training, including liquid soap making, as part of a six-month sustainability plan.
She said the organisers will return to the beneficiary schools to assess how the skills acquired during the festival are being applied.
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The first Annual Peace Festival was hosted by Busia Secondary School in Busia District, followed by the second edition at Bweranyangi Secondary School in Bushenyi District.
Kigezi College Butobere was selected to host the third edition.
