Women-Led Accountability Drive Exposes Education Gaps in Kotido Municipality

By Richard Onapatum

KOTIDO MUNICIPALITY — A women-led citizen monitoring exercise has uncovered major gaps in education service delivery in Kotido Municipality, with schools struggling with overcrowded classrooms, inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation, insufficient staff accommodation, and low pupil attendance.

The findings were presented during an interface meeting held on July 15, 2026, at the Kotido Youth Centre, bringing together women leaders, school administrators, municipal officials, political leaders, and community members to discuss challenges affecting learning in municipal schools.

The monitoring was conducted under the Women’s Amplified Voice for Accountability (WAVA) Project, implemented by Nakere Rural Women Activists (NARWOA) in partnership with the Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE), with support from the Embassies of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Sweden in Uganda.

Presenting findings from Kotido Army Primary School, Akidi Rose Moding, Secretary of the Kotido Female Elders Network, commended the school for its strong 2025 Primary Leaving Examination performance and cleanliness but highlighted serious infrastructure shortages.

She reported that the school, which enrolls more than 1,000 pupils, has only 144 desks and eight classrooms, forcing some learners to study in shifts. Some classrooms have also been converted into dormitories due to limited boarding facilities.

“The school has only five staff houses serving 34 teachers, three pit latrines, and no dedicated staff room. Teachers currently use the library for meetings and administrative work,” she said.

Rose further raised concern over a cracked Primary Four classroom block and the growing number of street children in Kotido Municipality, calling for stronger collaboration between leaders and communities.

Supporting the findings, Komakech Margaret, a member of the monitoring team, noted that the school still lacks music teachers despite efforts to strengthen academic and co-curricular programmes.

At Lomukura Primary School, Alupo Stella, Secretary of the Kotido Central Division Women Network, described severe overcrowding, with some desks accommodating up to six pupils and some classrooms hosting more than 100 learners.

She revealed that although the school has an enrolment of 2,304 pupils, only 1,083 learners were present during the monitoring visit.

“The attendance figures raise concerns about absenteeism and possible school dropout,” she said.

The team also identified inadequate staff accommodation, insufficient sanitation facilities, limited land for school farming and co-curricular activities, and weak follow-up systems for children who leave school.

Adding her voice, Amito Stella, LC1 Chairperson of Narikapet, criticized poor hygiene and security conditions at Lomukura Primary School.

“The school compound is bushy, and the dormitory was not opened for inspection. The fence is incomplete, exposing children to security risks,” she said.

She also highlighted the lack of changing rooms for girls and inadequate office space for school administrators.

Another monitor, Aleper Jackline, called for the installation of lightning arresters at both schools to improve learner safety.

Speaking during the meeting, Narusha Kalisto, Regional Community Liaison Officer, urged communities and leaders to secure sufficient land for schools to support future expansion and school farming initiatives.

He also warned about the increasing number of street children in Kotido Municipality.

“If this challenge is not addressed early, it could create long-term social problems for the municipality,” he said.

A parent who attended the meeting said overcrowding was affecting learning.

“We appreciate the work teachers are doing, but the number of learners has increased beyond the available facilities. More support is needed to improve the learning environment,” the parent said.

Responding to the concerns, the Headteacher of Kotido Army Primary School acknowledged the challenges and appealed for support to construct a boys’ dormitory and additional staff accommodation.

“Parents wanted their children to stay in school during periods of insecurity, and we could not ignore their concerns. We request support for a boys’ dormitory and staff accommodation,” he said.

The Deputy Town Clerk of Kotido Municipality welcomed the findings and said the municipality would use the feedback to improve education services.

He noted that government had improved teachers’ salaries and that construction of a twin staff house at Lomukura Primary School was already underway. He also cited planned interventions to improve sanitation and address the challenge of street children.

Representing the LCV Chairperson, former District Speaker Hon. Lodio Emmanuel Lopwot called for stronger community participation in planning and budgeting processes.

“We must work together to secure land for schools and improve infrastructure for our learners,” he said.

Representing the Resident District Commissioner’s office, Assistant RDC Lokwii Peter Abrahams commended women for actively monitoring public services and promoting accountability.

“Citizen participation is critical in improving service delivery. Women should continue engaging in budget monitoring and anti-corruption efforts,” he said.

Kotido Woman Member of Parliament Hon. Nuria Hafsa Teko applauded FOWODE and NARWOA for empowering women to participate in governance and decision-making.

“When you receive information, take it back to the rural women. Politics is done; now we must unite and help our people,” she said.

Teko urged women leaders to put aside political differences and focus on tackling poverty, hunger, and poor access to essential services.

Speaking at the meeting, Jessica Ruth Ataa, Executive Director of NARWOA, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to strengthening women’s participation in governance and accountability processes.

She noted that while many development programmes focus on rural communities, women in urban areas also require support to effectively engage leaders and monitor public services.

The Principal Municipal Education Officer, Odung Morris, emphasized the role of education in combating poverty, disease, and ignorance.

“Education liberates, empowers, and gives us true independence. If education is to succeed, government, parents, and learners must all play their part,” he said.

Stakeholders called for clear timelines and budget commitments to address the identified gaps, warning that without sustained investment, overcrowding and poor learning conditions could continue undermining education outcomes in Kotido Municipality.

The interface meeting formed part of ongoing activities under the WAVA Project aimed at strengthening women’s voices, promoting citizen participation, and improving accountability in public service delivery.