The Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi, took the stand before the Parliament Committee on Government Assurance to shed light on the delays hampering the establishment of a technical school per county.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, Minister Musasizi attributed the delay primarily to limited resources, underscoring the challenges faced in executing this ambitious educational initiative.
Chairing the committee, Abed Bwanika oversaw the session where Minister Musasizi provided an update on the status of financing for various educational projects, including the construction of seed secondary schools in sub-counties and the establishment of technical schools per county and public universities per sub-region.
Funds allocated under the Uganda Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) program since the 2018/19 fiscal year have been channeled to local governments for school construction endeavors. As of the latest update, 102 schools stand complete and operational, with an additional 126 schools progressing through various stages of completion.
However, Minister Musasizi sounded a note of caution, highlighting the potential impact of an increase in administrative units on the government’s policy of establishing seed secondary schools and health center IIIs in every sub-county. Resource constraints loom large, casting a shadow over the feasibility of realizing this ambitious educational vision.
The Inter-Government Fiscal Transfer (UgIFT) program charts a roadmap for constructing up to 259 schools in sub-counties lacking seed schools. Divided into three phases, construction efforts have seen 117 schools in the first phase, 115 in the second, and a further 27 schools earmarked for the third phase.
Turning attention to public university policy, Minister Musasizi reported comprehensive coverage across sub-regions, except for Bugisu and Karamoja. To address this gap, constituency colleges have been established in these regions. Notable initiatives include Busitema University’s college of medicine in Mbale and Gulu University’s college in Moroto and Kotido.
Plans are also underway to rehabilitate traditional schools, marking a comprehensive effort to bolster the nation’s educational infrastructure.
The Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program Project for Uganda (UgIFT) aims to enhance the adequacy and equity of fiscal transfers, improving fiscal management of resources by local governments for health and education services.
Committee chair Abed Bwanika resolved to seek clarification from Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja regarding the government’s position on seed schools before reporting back to Parliament. He emphasized the public’s eager anticipation for seed secondary schools and health center IIIs in every sub-county, regardless of their establishment date, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
