Bukomansimbi District Woman MP Veronica Nanyondo has slammed the government for its neglect of public schools, pointing to the deteriorating learning conditions as a major factor in the district's declining education standards.
Ms Nanyondo made the remarks during a visit to St John Mary Muzeeyi Kabandiiko Primary School, which was devastated by a violent storm that left several school buildings in ruins.
The storm, which brought violent winds and hailstones, destroyed classrooms and injured several pupils, further exacerbating an already dire situation.
Located in Kitanda Sub-county, St John Mary Muzeeyi Kabandiiko Primary School is one of the largest government schools in the district, serving over 700 pupils.
However, like many other schools in Bukomansimbi, it faces significant challenges due to poor infrastructure and insufficient resources.
On February 12, 2025, a severe storm, accompanied by hailstones and strong winds, wreaked havoc at the school, destroying several buildings.
Classrooms were reduced to rubble, forcing pupils to study in the open without any shelter. Some learners were injured when debris from the collapsing buildings fell on them.
Since the disaster, Primary Four and Five pupils have been attending classes under trees, while teachers, with no staffroom, have had to improvise to continue their work.
"The situation is unbearable. The pupils have no proper classrooms, and whenever it rains, learning is disrupted," lamented Sarah Edith Nakazzi, the school’s headteacher.
Winnie Nakiweewa, one of the teachers, added that the harsh learning environment has led some parents to withdraw their children from the school due to safety concerns.
Elizabeth Ndagire, the chairperson of the school’s management committee, explained that during heavy rains, students are forced to crowd into already overcrowded classrooms, further worsening the conditions.
Concerned about the worsening situation, MP Nanyondo intervened, donating 40 iron sheets as an initial step toward rebuilding the school's infrastructure.
"The government has completely abandoned its duty to support education. Schools are in terrible conditions, and nothing is being done," she said.
"This is unacceptable. The school collapsed during weekdays, and pupils were present, but it is unfortunate that none of the government workers have come to see the situation, even though they were informed," Nanyondo said during her visit.
Her intervention was met with cheers from residents, who expressed their gratitude for her support.
However, they also called on the government to take urgent action and provide the necessary funding to rebuild schools in Bukomansimbi.
The devastating storm not only destroyed the school but also left several families homeless and ruined crops, raising concerns about food security in the area.
Kitanda Sub-county Chairperson Joseph Kamuli confirmed the scale of the destruction and emphasized that many residents were struggling to rebuild their homes and recover from the losses.
"Our area was left in tears, and we call upon the office of the Prime Minister to come and help our community. Many residents are in despair, without shelter and food to eat," Kamuli said.