Parents and local leaders in Tororo Municipality are demanding answers after the relocation of Morukatipe View Primary School to make way for the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) left the new site with fewer facilities than the original school.
Previously, the school accommodated about 980 learners and featured ten classroom blocks and teachers’ quarters housing at least three staff members.
The old structures were demolished to allow construction of the railway line, and the school was compensated over Shs1.1 billion for the relocation.
A new 4.33-acre site was secured, and the UPDF Engineering Brigade was awarded a contract worth over Shs370 million to construct the new school.
However, only three classroom blocks comprising seven classrooms were built, and teachers’ quarters were excluded, raising alarm among parents and municipal leaders.
Peter Ekikina, president of the Municipal Development Forum, said the new infrastructure falls short of what was demolished.
“The construction that has taken place, in my view, is not even half of the infrastructure that was demolished. The classrooms are not sufficient to accommodate the number of learners we expect,” he said.
John Madede, chairperson of the School Management Committee, echoed the concern.
“The old classrooms could accommodate up to one hundred learners, yet in these new ones, sixty learners already fill the room,” he said.
Although the new structures are already in use by more than 400 learners, parents insist they will not formally accept the facility until explanations are provided for the missing classrooms and teachers’ houses.
“Parents are not ready to receive this school because it was compensation, not a gift. We expected the same facilities that were demolished to be reconstructed here,” Madede added.
Sources within the Municipal Council allege that Shs127 million had been allocated for teachers’ quarters, but the funds reportedly disappeared after being paid through a separate account. The newly appointed Town Clerk, Ayub Alikwan Kisubi, said he is still investigating the matter.
“I don’t want to speak about something I do not yet have full information about. I need to consult further, but I will take interest in this matter to establish the truth,” he said.
District security officials have held several meetings to investigate the issue. Tororo Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Sadiq Bategana said authorities are engaging SGR project officials to determine the next steps.
“Parents are complaining that the previous school had more classrooms and staff houses, which are missing here. We intend to meet officials from the Standard Gauge Railway project so we can understand what happened,” he said.
Noah Opio, a UPDF Engineering Brigade supervisor in the Eastern Region, said the construction followed the designs provided by municipal authorities.
“The size of these blocks follows the approved drawings. The municipality provided the layouts, and that is exactly what we constructed here,” he explained.
Parents and school administrators continue to raise concerns about the learning environment at the new site.
Some parts of the compound remain uncleared, certain latrines are still open, and the school currently lacks a playground, limiting students’ ability to participate in sports and other activities.
As investigations continue, parents and school leaders are pressing for full accountability while the new school remains operational.