MP Wambede Visits Two Mbale Schools After Heavy Storm Damages Over 120 Computers, Buildings

After heavy rains and winds ravaged Nkoma Senior Secondary School and its neighbor, Mbale High School, over 120 computers succumbed to water damage, while three buildings suffered severe destruction. Among these were both schools’ computer labs and a condemned building at Nkoma SS.

Today, the Member of Parliament for Mbale Northern City Division, Honorable Seth Wambede Massa Kizanji, visited the two schools to assess the damage.

He observed that the contractors responsible for constructing Block C at Nkoma SS performed poorly. He criticized the Ministry of Education for engaging a contractor who misused government funds totaling 2.6 billion shillings.

The MP expressed his intention to correspond with the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Education, seeking immediate assistance for the two schools.

Hon. Seth utilized the same platform to urge parents to be vigilant during such projects in their areas.

He also implored the Ministry of Education to permit the schools to hire their own contractors for future projects, enabling direct supervision, rather than relying on contractors from Kampala who deliver substandard work.

Furthermore, Hon. Wambede Massa Kizanji requested that Block C, which was condemned, be demolished to prevent further damage or endangering lives.

The headteachers of Nkoma SS and Mbale High School delineated the challenges they face following the destruction of their computer buildings and the loss of over 120 computers last week.

Mr. Ntege Ramadan, the Deputy Headteacher of Nkoma SS, disclosed that the project cost 2.6 billion shillings, with Build Best as the contractor overseeing the construction.

He attributed the poor quality of work to the supervisors who hired the contractors, emphasizing that the two schools serve over eleven thousand students, with more than three thousand students directly affected.

Mr. Wambalo Stephen, the headteacher of Mbale High School, highlighted the school’s population of five thousand students and limited structures, noting their inability to halt admissions due to being a community school.

He also underscored the challenge of asbestos in the older structures, posing health risks to students and staff.

Mr. Wambalo appealed to the government to erect more structures and acquire nearby land to accommodate the school’s sizable population.

The headteacher of Mbale High School, Mr. Wambalo Stephen, appealed to the government and other concerned stakeholders to provide assistance before the schools resume on May 27, 2024.