Soroti: “Philanthropist” Ebwalu, again launches shs83m seed secondary school

A fund raising was organized and  shs2.8m cash was collected; 123 bags of cement, pledges of shs3.4; 5 trips of sand, among others.

By Robert Edwomu

Soroti – 31, October 2021: Five months ago, Soroti City West Division MP Jonathan Ebwalu donated shs200m given to him by the government for personal car to aide the constrhction of an health center in his constituency.

Elected to serve, the MP has again launched the construction of a Seed Secondary school in Ojikai village, Agora ward, the same place where he constructed an health center.

The secondary school is baptized “Agora Seed Secondary School”. Agoro will help learners who have been trekking good kilometers to learn with no government aided school in the area.

The school is being built on a 10-acre piece of land that the community gave for the development.

Michael Ogara is the chairperson local council II, Agora ward. He said the community sacrificed and handed over to the government over 35 acres of land to enable such kind of development that will benefit the society.

“The school will take 10 acres as the health facility occupies 5 acres and the balance will wait for other developments like a technical institution which is lacking and others,” he added.

Ogara tasked leaders to leave political affiliations and work as a team to develop their areas and Uganda at large.

David Omali, the chairperson Agora Seed SS steering committee says they came together in consultation with the MP to initiate Agoro, looking at the lack and distances learners move to a “nearby” Soroti SS which is found in Soroti City East division.

Omali states that the learning institution whose construction will start next week, currently needs UGX83,140,000.00 to construct two classroom blocks, two offices and three pit latrines for boys, girls and staff.

He says long distances have facilitated most of the learners getting spoiled as others end up in video halls, betting centers, revealing that defilers take advantage of vulnerable situations among learners.

Omali added the nearby private schools are too expensive to the parents since the cheapest charges an average fees of UGX150,000.00 to UGX200,000.00 for a day scholar student.

Jonathan Ebwalu (MP) says this is all done to save the students that walk for 30 kilometers to the nearest government aided Soroti S.S searching for affordable education services.

“The construction works will be faster such that by next January when the government opens schools they should also be in position to enroll students,” he said.

The vocal Ebwalu has so far paid for 100 bags of cement and pledges to buy all the construction bricks for the classroom.

Joshua Edogu, Soroti city Mayor promised that the city authorities will push until the government absorbs the school as government aided since there’s no single government school in the constituency.

He also revealed that the council approved the construction and that the government has already absorbed the health facility constructed by the MP and that in the next financial year funds will be allocated for other improvements.

The facility has been upgraded to an health center IV, he announced.

John Bosco Ikojo, a Member of Parliament for Bukedea County and Chairperson National Economy Committee in Parliament advised the community to title the land such that the government is satisfied while supporting the school.

Ikojo gave shs1m towards the construction of the school and pledged to support the school in Parliament in any need and support they require.

He later disclosed that while interacting with State Minister for Teso Affairs, Kenneth Ongalo Obote he (Obote) pledged shs3m and iron sheets for the structure’s roofing.

Agnes Kapisa, one of the parents expressed joy over the school, saying they as parents now get relieved since it is challenging to educate children relying on the agricultural products to sell to raise money which at times fail due to climatic changes.

A fund raising was organized and  shs2.8m cash was collected; 123 bags of cement, pledges of shs3.4, 5 trips of sand, among others.