Kitgum district launches shs700m projects to improve education and healthcare

The Kitgum District Local Government last week launched a series of development projects worth more than shs700 million aimed at improving access to education, healthcare, and safe water for communities across the

The projects, funded through the Sector Development Grant, include the construction of teachers’ houses, classrooms, health facility upgrades, and the drilling of boreholes.

District officials say the investments are intended to address key service delivery gaps that have affected residents for years.

Speaking during the official handover of project sites to contractors, the district’s Project Manager and Water Officer, Willy Picho, said the works are expected to be completed within three months.

“We expect all the contractors to complete the projects within the agreed timeframe of three months so that the facilities can be handed over to the community by June 2026,” Picho said.

“These projects are part of the district’s broader plan to improve education, healthcare, and water access in underserved areas.”

Among the key education projects is the construction of a semi-detached teachers’ house at Bishop Ochola Primary School valued at shs121 million.

Another detached teachers’ house worth shs122 million will be built at Alune Primary School to help address the shortage of staff accommodation.

Kitgum district education officer Lawot Anthony Lam, says lack of housing for teachers has been a major challenge, forcing many educators to live far from their workplaces, which affects punctuality and overall service delivery.

A new classroom block will also be constructed at Oryang Ojuma Primary School at a cost of shs116 million to help reduce congestion and provide a better learning environment for pupils.

In the health sector, the district will complete a children’s ward at Orom Health Centre III for shs84 million. The project is expected to improve maternal and child healthcare services by providing better treatment space for young patients.

The district will also construct perimeter fences at several health facilities to improve security and safety for both patients and medical staff.

These include Lalekan Health Centre II at shshs32 million, Lukwor Health Centre II at shshs31 million, Obyen Health Centre II at shs36 million, and Tumangu Health Centre II at shsshs27 million.

In addition, five boreholes will be drilled across the district at a total cost of shs134 million to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities that currently depend on unsafe water sources.

The Kitgum Chief Administrative Officer, Habib Abubakar, said the projects demonstrate the district’s commitment to improving basic services and promoting community development.

“These funds from the Sector Development Grant are meant to directly benefit communities by improving essential services such as health, education, and water,” Abubakar said. “We call upon contractors to maintain quality work and ensure value for money.”

Kitgum District LC5 chairperson Arwai Christopher Obol welcomed the projects, noting that they will help address long-standing challenges faced by residents in accessing social services.

“For many years, communities have struggled with inadequate classrooms, limited health infrastructure, and a lack of clean water sources,” Obol said. “These projects will significantly improve the living conditions of our people and strengthen service delivery in the district.”

Sarah Adongo, a parent from Oryang Parish, said the new classroom block will greatly improve learning conditions for pupils. “Our children study in very congested classrooms, and sometimes they even sit on the floor,” she said.

“With the new classroom block, we hope the learning environment will improve and help our children perform better in school.”

Similarly, Okello Patrick, a resident near Orom Health Centre III, said the completion of the children’s ward will ease pressure on health workers and benefit families seeking treatment for their children.

When children fall sick, we bring them here, but sometimes there is not enough space for treatment,” he said. “The new ward will help our children receive better care.”

District leaders say community members will be closely involved in monitoring the projects to ensure transparency and proper implementation.

Once completed, the projects are expected to strengthen essential services and contribute to improved livelihoods for thousands of residents across Kitgum district.