The Vice President of Uganda Rtd. Maj. Jessica Alupo has flagged off the construction of Okore Seed Secondary School in Kelim village, Okore sub-county, Ngariam county.

This event was filled with happiness, as the government, through the Ministry of Education, granted Katakwi District another secondary school. The atmosphere was vibrant with smiles, laughter, and amusement, making it a truly joyful moment.

The government of Uganda will invest a total of Sh849m in the initial phase of the project on an 8-acre plot of land provided by the Soroti Catholic Diocese.

During the first phase, the construction of 4 classroom blocks, staff houses, an administration block, and pit latrines will be completed within six months.

Yesterday, Alupo, along with Katakwi district authorities, officially handed over the construction site to the contractor – Dag Investments Limited, in a vibrant ceremony that left the locals in awe.

This marks the second project launch in Katakwi within two weeks, following the Okulonyo Seed Secondary School project, spearheaded by Vice President Jessica Alupo.

She reassured the people of Katakwi and all Ugandans that the government is committed to providing essential services.

Alupo highlighted that it is now a government policy to gradually establish a seed secondary school in every sub-county and a primary school in every parish nationwide.

Current data indicates that there are 1,617 parishes without a public primary school and 350 sub-counties without a secondary school.

She urged residents to oversee the construction progress to ensure transparency and efficiency, while expressing gratitude to the attendees of the groundbreaking ceremony for returning to their ancestral land, emphasizing the peace brought about by the government in the border sub-counties and districts.

“I appeal to people willing to work with the Contractor to display good behaviour so that you can earn a living from it and uplift their family income,” she said.

Alupo who was welcomed with thunderous applause from her voters also appealed to the district council to pass a resolution that prevents people from degrading the environment, especially through burning bushes as it kills soil fertility.

She urged parents to let children go to school now that they have Epel Memorial Institute which is now taking in students.

“We currently have two technical schools one in Usuk county and the other in Ngariam county, Katakwi Technical School. Let all children go to school, whether disabled, girl or boy child, so that they can get jobs that can sustain their families,” Alupo appealed, emphasizing that Marriage will be after graduation.

The woman MP also advised communities to get ready for the planting season. “You should not sit and wait for rains and wake up to plant when not planned. Please plan that’s when you’ll get good yields,” she said and also asked cattle keepers to always take care of their animals to avoid thefts.

Meanwhile, Chairman Geoffrey Omolo asked the contractor to follow the Bills of Quantities and appealed to all stakeholders to do their respective roles while implementing the project. He also appealed to the contractor to deliver good work.

The RDC Katakwi district Maj. Godfrey Katamba said this financial year Katakwi has got funding for the two seed schools of Okulonyo and Okore seed schools and government through the vice president for extending services to the people.

In another development, Man of God at St. Simon Catholic Parish, Magoro thanked the government for partnering with the church to extend services closer to its people.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by district authorities, security chiefs of the region and locals.