By KT Reporter
Wagagai Gold Mining Company has launched a wall fence construction project in government schools to help protect school land from grabbers and intruders. The initiative began with the construction of fences using metallic bars at Mawero Primary School and Mawero Islamic Primary School in Buteba Sub-county.
Wagagai Gold Mining Company, the largest Chinese gold mining company in East Africa, operates in Mawero Parish, Buteba Sub-county, Busia, and is expected to produce 10,000 tonnes of gold annually. Stephen Wafula, the company’s communication manager, said during the launch on Tuesday at Mawero Primary School playground that the fencing project aims to protect learners from accidents, stop intruders in schools, and safeguard school land from encroachers. The schools are being fenced using blocks and metallic bars.
According to Wafula, the company has so far invested Shs400 million to fence the two schools. Similar projects will be rolled out in phases at other schools within the company’s operational areas as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Catherine Adong, the headteacher at Mawero Primary School, said the fencing has reduced porous routes previously exploited by intruders. She added that some classrooms had been misused as lodges, with students finding used condoms, broken windows, and stolen school property.
John Mulimba, the Minister of State for Regional Affairs and MP for Samia Bugwe North Constituency, urged the company to compensate families still squatting near the company premises in Alupe village. He noted that the families are affected by effluents contaminating spring wells and recommended that they vacate the land. Mulimba commended Wagagai for fencing the schools and rehabilitating some roads by constructing standard drainage channels to reduce flash floods.
Benard Opoloti, the Busia Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), highlighted that some government schools still face land disputes with encroachers. He said Wagagai’s fencing initiative comes at an opportune time to curb such disputes. Opoloti urged teachers to go beyond expectations in providing academic services once the first school term begins.
Stephen Mugeni Wasike, Busia District LCV Chairman, called on Wagagai to collaborate with local leadership to develop the area.
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