Summary:
- During a council session at the Rukiga District Rukiiko Hall on Wednesday, Akampurira expressed his disappointment over the district’s failure to support Rukiga Primary School and Kicucwe Primary School both from Kashambya Sub-county.
RUKIGA: Rukiga District Speaker, Oscar Akampurira, has directed the Sectoral Committee on Education to explain to the district council why two primary schools that qualified for the National Level in Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) competitions were not facilitated to participate.
During a council session at the Rukiga District Rukiiko Hall on Wednesday, Akampurira expressed his disappointment over the district’s failure to support Rukiga Primary School and Kicucwe Primary School both from Kashambya Sub-county.
The two schools secured second and third places, respectively, during the Regional MDD Competitions held in Kanungu District last month but were unable to represent the district at the national level.
Akampurira called on the Chairperson of the Education Committee and the District Education Officer to account for the funds allocated to co-curricular activities.
The Committee Chairperson, Ronah Tweheyo Rwebandira, and the District Education Officer, Vastina Beyendera, explained that although the council approved a budget of 30 million Ugandan Shillings for co-curricular activities in the last financial year, only 17 million was allocated specifically for MDD competitions, from the zonal to regional level.
By the time they reached the national level, only 892,500 shillings remained, which was insufficient to cover the costs. Beyendera further recommended that the remaining balance be used to purchase gifts for the two schools that qualified for nationals.
CUE IN…..TWEHEYO & BEYENDERA…..ENG//
Muhanga Town Council LC5 Councilor, Godfrey Mukuru, noted that the Education Committee had previously suggested reallocating MDD funds to other activities such as scouting, which require fewer participants, due to the large budget MDD demands.
However, Kamwezi Sub-county LC5 Councilor, Elly Akampumuza, opposed this proposal, arguing that it would stifle the talents of learners who excel in MDD.
Speaker Akampurira emphasized that the Education Department should communicate early if there are resource constraints.
“This would allow the district to seek additional support from well-wishers to fund such activities, as failure to do so discourages talented students”. Akampurira Said.
CUE IN AKAMPURIRA…..ON MDD…..RR/ENG//
