Leaders in Kabarole District on Wednesday officially handed over the construction site for Kiiko Seed Secondary School in a move aimed at boosting access to education in the district. The school, which falls under the Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP), will be constructed by Echo Communications Limited.
Kiiko Seed Secondary School will build on the foundation of the existing Catholic Church-founded Kigarama Talent Secondary School. The project, funded by the World Bank at UGX 3.2 billion, is expected to be completed within 10 months, running from May 2026 to March 2027.
While speaking during the handover ceremony held at the site in Kigarama Village, Kiko Town Council, Eng. Aggrey Atukwasa, the USEEP Project Engineer at the Ministry of Education, revealed that Kiiko Seed Secondary School will be a fully fledged day lower secondary school equipped with key facilities.
These will include two classroom blocks with eight classrooms, an administration block, ICT and science laboratories, a library, staff quarters, a kitchen, a multipurpose hall, playgrounds, 10-stance VIP latrines, and an incinerator.
Eng. Atukwasa called on the contractor to maintain high standards, ensure the timely completion of the works, and involve local communities by offering employment opportunities. He also urged residents to act as watchdogs in safeguarding construction materials and protecting the environment around the project site.
Arthur Akiiza, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Kabarole District, urged the contractor to deliver quality work and strictly adhere to the contract terms. He emphasized the need to avoid delays and shoddy work, noting that the project is critical in improving access to secondary education in the area.
Richard Rwabuhinga, the District Chairperson, thanked the Fort Portal Catholic Diocese for offering five acres of land for the construction of the school. He appealed to the government to consider absorbing the current teachers at Kigarama Talent Secondary School into the new institution once construction is completed.
Rwabuhinga said the project aligns with the government policy of establishing at least one secondary school in every sub-county or town council. He also warned residents against theft of construction materials, saying such acts would undermine a project intended for their own benefit.
Fr. Andrew Isingoma, the Fort Portal Diocesan Inspector of Schools, highlighted the church’s continued contribution to national development through the provision of land and support to education initiatives. Veneranda Basemera, a resident of Kigarama, welcomed the establishment of the school, noting that it will help keep girls in school by reducing the long distances they currently travel, which often expose them to risks.
Patrick Rweyora said the project will create employment opportunities during construction and after completion, thereby improving local livelihoods. Benada Kabahikye added that the seed school will ease the financial burden on parents, since the area previously relied on an expensive private secondary school-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
