Nicholas A
Residents in Ngomba Ward, Nyakyera Town Council, Ruhaama East County, Ntungamo District, are expressing concern over the loss of their tree plantation. The trees were sold by local leaders who had promised to use the proceeds to construct a technical school for the community.
The residents had decided to sell their trees as a means to address the absence of a technical institute in Nyakyera Town Council. The plan was to utilize the funds generated from the tree sale to build a technical institute in Ngomba Ward, thus improving vocational education in the area.
However, the residents are now disappointed as construction efforts on the technical school stalled at the foundation level. Vincent Turyasiima, the Ngomba Ward chairperson, stated that in March 2023, they approached Nyakyera Town Council leaders with their proposal to sell the tree plantation for the construction project.
According to Turyasiima, the idea was initially accepted by town council authorities, and a memorandum of understanding was established, outlining an equal sharing of the funds between the town council and Ngomba Ward. Despite an initial promise of 12 million Ugandan Shillings to Ngomba Ward from the 56 million Shillings generated, they were only given 4 million Shillings.
Turyasiima expressed dissatisfaction, noting that with the provided funds, they started construction of a two-classroom block that failed to progress beyond the foundation level.
Nganwa Kenneth, the Nyakyera Town Council mayor, urged residents not to seek accountability for government property and suggested that it is the responsibility of councilors to address accountability issues. He mentioned that construction works are expected to resume in January, with the goal of completing the technical school by the end of the next financial year.
