By Vicent Emong
KUMI — The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), through the Ministry of Teso Affairs, has officially launched the construction of modern pit latrine blocks worth Shs167.9 million at Kumi Girls Primary School in Kumi Municipality.
The project involves the construction of modern three-by-five stance pit latrine blocks equipped with shower facilities to improve sanitation at the school.
The launch ceremony was presided over by Johnas Moses Kibungo, the Personal Assistant to the Minister for Teso Affairs, who represented the Office of Teso Affairs under the OPM.
Speaking during the event, outgoing Kumi Municipality Mayor Richard Ochom praised the leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for supporting development projects in the region.
“We appreciate the tremendous support from the Ministry of Teso Affairs. Their intervention always comes at the right time,” Ochom said.
He cited the earlier construction of a classroom block at Kumi Boys Primary School as one of the projects that helped revive the institution.
“When the ministry supported Kumi Boys Primary School, the institution was almost collapsing. Today, the school has regained its dignity and is steadily progressing,” he noted.
Ochom also applauded the ministry for distributing iron sheets to schools and supporting economic empowerment programs in Teso.
Meanwhile, Kumi Municipality Town Clerk Emmanuel Okaja explained that the school’s previous sanitation facilities were demolished during road construction works carried out by Arab Contractors under the municipal road tarmacking project.
“We approached the Office of the Prime Minister through the Ministry of Teso Affairs for support, and they responded positively by funding this sanitation project,” Okaja stated.
According to Okaja, the construction works will be handled by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) engineering arm under the National Enterprise Corporation (NEC), in line with government policy assigning major public infrastructure projects to the UPDF Engineering Brigade.
The Head Teacher of Kumi Girls Primary School, Sister Immaculet Amiti, emotionally described the challenges the school faced after the demolition of five pit latrine blocks during the road expansion project.
“The school went through a very difficult period. The demolition of the latrines and part of the fence created a serious sanitation challenge for learners and teachers,” she said.
She revealed that parents contributed Shs5,000 each toward reconstructing the school fence, although the administration had to top up the funds because collections were insufficient.
Sister Amiti thanked the Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese, Kumi Municipal Council, and district leaders for supporting their appeal to the Office of the Prime Minister.
“We remained hopeful after being encouraged to wait for the next financial year, and today we are grateful to witness the fulfillment of that promise,” she added.
Kumi Resident District Commissioner Ismael Hamwada Pinto commended the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Teso Affairs for honoring their pledge to restore the school’s sanitation facilities.
“About a year ago, the school latrines were demolished during road construction, and government promised to replace them. Today, that promise has become a reality,” Pinto said.
He urged residents to protect the project and cooperate with engineers during the construction process.
“The community must safeguard this project and allow the engineers to execute their work professionally without interference,” he emphasized.
