PHOTOS: M7, MP Mpuuga Attend Kitovu Dormitory Fundraiser
Masaka Municipality Member of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga on Saturday praised President Yoweri Museveni’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy in the district.
Mpuuga made these remarks in his capacity as area MP while welcoming president Museveni to St. Henry’s College Kitovu, Masaka where the president had gone to raise funds for the construction of a new dormitory at the school.
“Your Excellency, I take the honour to welcome you to Masaka. I know you know the contribution of the Church to education in Uganda, and whoever supports the Church I laud.
He went to say “Your Excellency, I inform you that Masaka is doing so well in Universal Primary Education. Even when other areas are struggling, Masaka posts very good results.”
Mpuuga’s remarks were surprising considering he is a known critic of the president and his government. Some Ugandans especially on social media sites praised Mpuuga’s act to be at the same function with the president, his political nemesis.
However, that was not the highlight of the occasion. President Museveni contributed Shs80m towards the construction of the new dormitory.
The other guests who attended the fundraiser on Saturday included; Vice President Edward Ssekandi, Minister in charge of the presidency Frank Tumwebaze, Assistant Inspector General of Police Andrew Felix Kaweesi and members of the Kwagalana group.
The Kwagalana group, an association of money magnates many of who hail from the area raised Shs4om in addition to buying president Museveni’s portrait picture at Shs10m.
Their contribution was as follows; Sudhir Ruparelia contributed shs 5 million, John Bosco Muwonge 5M, Hajj Burayimu Kibirige 2M, Godfrey Kirumira 2M, Hajj Mutaasa Kafeero 1M, Gasta Lule 2M, Ephraim Ntaganda 2M, Tom Kaaya 2M, Nabbale 1.5M, Hajj Manisuri Matovu 1M, Hajj Badru Muwanga 1M, Kato Deus 2M, Kagina Wycliffe 1M, Dick Kizito 1M.
The school that has a population of 1100 students was started under the Catholic foundation some nine decades ago.
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I wish Kitovu all the best in the future and hopefully the money raised will not go to personal bank accounts.
However the pessimist in me needs to raise a few of questions:-
1. Who will pay the teachers’ salaries? I am presuming that a new dormitory means extra students and therefore more teachers (if standards are to be maintained).
2. How come M7 is doing what the Ministry of Education should be doing as a matter of course?
3. Is this personal money or government money (sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance).
4. If it is personal, what will happen to the school project if he defaults in making the payment (there was no sack this time in the photo).
I am concious that there are reports that NRM is so broke that it cannot pay its rent for a property in Nakasero, which I suppose begs the question where M7 is getting the money from.
I a impressed by the event. It shows that we can always disagree to agree and vice versa. Where matters of common interest like education are concerned our differences in opinions and policies should not prevent us from joining hands. Huurah to all the participants. But watch out for those using the occasion for selfish ends with 2016 in sight.