The Inspector General of Government (IGG), Ms. Beti Kamya, has announced plans to investigate the construction quality of government seed schools established under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Project (UgIFT). This decision comes in response to growing concerns over the substandard infrastructure observed across various seed schools nationwide.
Ms. Kamya revealed her intentions during a visit to the Mayanga Progressive Seed School in Mitooma District. The visit was prompted by an invitation from the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, who raised alarm about the poor quality of construction work at the school in May 2022.
During the inspection, Mr. Tayebwa discovered numerous flaws in the newly constructed school buildings. Issues such as cracks in the ICT and science blocks, substandard laboratory tap stands, weak drainage systems, and poorly shaped playgrounds were identified. These shortcomings prompted calls for intervention to ensure that taxpayers receive value for money.
Expressing her concerns, Ms. Kamya highlighted the pervasive nature of the problem, extending beyond individual instances to a systemic issue affecting seed schools nationwide. She emphasized the need for accountability, questioning the management of contracts and the payment processes for incomplete work.
According to the school’s head teacher, Mr. Samuel Ainebyoona, the defects in construction were brought to the attention of district authorities before the project’s commissioning. Despite initial complaints, the issues remained unresolved, raising questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms.
Representatives from the contractor, KHALISA Developments Company, acknowledged the existence of defects in the construction but assured that they had been rectified. Mr. Ronald Areeba, the company’s representative, stated that the necessary repairs had been made under the supervision of the district engineer. He emphasized their compliance with contractual obligations and awaited the issuance of a completion certificate.
