Rutooma Secondary School, situated in Mbarara district, has been awaiting a presidential pledge for the past five years. The school faced a significant setback in July 2023 when one of its dormitories caught fire, resulting in substantial losses for several students.
Upon receiving a donation of 166 iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Monday, Angela Kabarungi, the head teacher of Rutooma Secondary School, urged officials from the Prime Minister’s office to remind the president of his commitment to renovate the school.
In 2019, President Yoweri Museveni pledged Shillings 1.5 Billion Shillings to renovate the school, recognizing its critical role during the NRA war. Unfortunately, this pledge has not been fulfilled to date. Kabarungi revealed that in 2020, after writing to the President to remind him of the unfulfilled pledge, the Ministry of Education and Sports was directed to renovate the school. However, the promised work is yet to be executed.
Fred Kato, the Chairperson of the School Management Committee, mentioned that the last update received in 2020 from the Ministry was a request for bills of quantities, which they promptly submitted. Expressing concern over continuous budget cuts by the Ministry of Finance, David Muhwezi, the District Chief Administrative Officer, highlighted the urgent need for renovations in many schools in the district.
Muhwezi stated that they were hesitant to include the same school in the district budget without approval and funds from the Ministry of Education. Emmy Katera Turyabagyenyi, the Mbarara Resident District Commissioner, acknowledged reports of disputes between parents, the Board, and the school management committee, including the unfulfilled pledge. Resolutions have been made to address these issues.
Founded in 1980, Rutooma Secondary School holds significant historical importance in the region.
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