Amolatar Residents Demand Better Roads, Health and Education Services

Residents across Uganda’s Amolatar District are asking authorities to address poor roads, absentee health workers, unaffordable school payments and the high cost of climate-smart farming.

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When I stepped into office, I received a number of complaints ranging from government programmes and service delivery components in health, education, agriculture, roads, finances and schools. We decided to take the district to the community and get feedback on how these services are reaching our people.

The concerns emerged during community barazas organised by district leaders to assess government programmes and public services. The district-wide exercise, launched by LC5 Chairperson Morris Ogwal Omara on August 18, will culminate in a service-delivery meeting at district headquarters. Issues raised by communities will then be consolidated and sent to relevant ministries.

Parents said some school charges had become unaffordable despite government policies on free education. Geoffrey Ogwal, a parent from Nalubwoyo Town Council, said families were willing to support schools but wanted contributions to reflect genuine needs and be agreed openly. “We are not refusing to support our schools, but the payments should be realistic and agreed upon openly. Many parents are struggling and children end up suffering when they are sent home,” he said.

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We are not refusing to support our schools, but the payments should be realistic and agreed upon openly. Many parents are struggling and children end up suffering when they are sent home.

Omara said the district was considering a system in which sub-counties would review proposed contributions before schools introduced them. “The child should not be sent home, suspended or denied examinations because of disagreements over payments. Education is a right and every child must remain in school,” he said.

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The child should not be sent home, suspended or denied examinations because of disagreements over payments. Education is a right and every child must remain in school.

Farmers also said they could not afford some technologies and inputs promoted by extension workers. Harriet Apio, a farmer from Namasale Sub-county, called for more support to adopt climate-smart agriculture. Residents additionally asked for working packages, transport and other assistance for Village Health Teams, which they said continue to provide essential community health services despite limited resources.

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Extension workers advise us to adopt new farming technologies, but many farmers cannot afford them. We need more support if we are to embrace climate-smart agriculture.