KIBAALE: The vice president, Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, has tasked educational institutions to equip students with skills needed in the world of work.
Alupo who is also the Katakwi district woman MP said this can be done by building special generic skills and competencies among our youth to give them employable skills needed in the job market.
She made the remarks during the commissioning of the multi-purpose building and launch of the school master plan of MerryLand High School Nyamarunda, in Kibaale district today, February 1, 2025.
Merryland is a private Anglican church school located in Nyamarunda cell, Nyamarunda ward, Nyamarunda town council, in Buyanja county in Western Uganda.
The vice president noted that education is not merely about knowledge but a catalyst for our society’s growth and development, a role she has seen MerryLand play for the people of Kibaale district.
On top of the academic menu, Merryland High School Nyamarunda is offering technical and vocational programs such as tailoring, borehole construction and maintenance, metal works and fabrication, computer application, bricklaying, and concrete practice. This answers our call for the education that satisfies the job market.
Alupo lauded the headteacher, staff, and all stakeholders for embracing hands-on skills for the good of our nation and urged students, teachers, and parents to embrace this opportunity.
“Let us work together to foster a culture of skilling, innovation, and excellence. Your involvement, whether through active participation in school activities or supporting our educational initiatives, is vital for our collective success,” Alupo said.
She reminded the gathering about the wise words of our president, who has always stressed that “education is the key to unlocking the potential of our people.”
The vice president said the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has consistently prioritised education as a cornerstone of our development agenda.
“We recognise that education is the foundation upon which we build our future and that it holds the power to transform lives, communities, and our nation as a whole,” she said.
Over the years, the NRM government has implemented various initiatives aimed at improving access to quality education.
From the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) to the expansion of vocational training programs and the establishment of new universities. It has also worked tirelessly to ensure that every Ugandan has access to education.
Alupo informed the gathering that together, we can create a bright future where education serves as a powerful tool for socio-economic advancement, enabling our community to flourish and ensuring that our students are well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
She thanked the people of Kibaale for their continued support and commitment to NRM and kindly requested they keep the treasure they have in the finance minister Matia Kasaija, the most trusted minister.
“He is a blessing to the whole nation, so vote for him again for MP Buyanja County to shine,” Alupo appealed to the electorates.
She told the congregation that as we gather to celebrate the commissioning of our school, Merryland High School, Nyamarunda, she was filled with joy and optimism for the future of our education system.
“This significant event not only marks the inauguration of new facilities but also underscores the vital role the church plays in the socio-economic transformation of our society,” she said.
She thanked the main celebrant, Rt. Rev. Jacob Ateirweho Amooti, the 6th Bishop of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese, and Kasaija for the kind invitation and pledged to work with the minister to implement the newly launched school master plan to its logical conclusion.
Hon. Kasaija thanked the vice president for her continued support and commitment to our children’s education and pledged to continue delivering quality services to the people, including education, health, road infrastructure, and fighting household poverty through government programs such as Emyooga, PDM, youth livelihoods funds, and women and disability funds, among others.
Bp. Ateirweho thanked the vice president for the love she has for the school and Bunyoro as a whole. “In whatever you do, count this school as one of your own because of the share you have put in to see it reach this stage,” Ateirweho said.
The headteacher, Amos Tukwasiibwe, thanked both the vice president and the minister for funding and mobilising resources for the construction of classroom block projects.
“Only God can reward you, and we owe you a debt of educating the nation using resources you mobilised for a better Uganda,” Tukwasiibwe said.
Among the challenges being faced by the school are the need for more buildings, furniture, computers, and other machines for tailoring, bricklaying, metal works, and books, according to Tukwasiibwe.
