Hundreds of pupils drop out as storm destroys classrooms in Lira City

6 May 2026, 5:12 pm

By Winnie Auma

More than 500 pupils of Olaka Child Care Primary School in Lira City West Division were forced out of school last term following a devastating windstorm that destroyed their classrooms.The school headteacher, Leonard Omara, says the disaster occurred in April 2026 when strong winds blew off the roof of a classroom block hosting learners from Primary One to Primary Three.

As a result, many pupils could no longer continue attending classes.Omara reveals that out of the school’s total enrolment of 899 pupils, only about 300 managed to complete the first term.

He adds that this is not the first time the school has suffered such destruction, noting that a similar incident happened in 2023, and the affected structure has never been fully rehabilitated.

He is now appealing to Lira City Council authorities to urgently intervene, warning that the situation could worsen if no action is taken, with more learners likely to drop out.

The Chairperson of the School Management Committee, Francis Opio, expressed frustration, saying repeated appeals to city authorities have yielded no response.Parents have also raised concern, blaming the recurring damage on weak school structures. They are now calling for collective efforts from leaders and stakeholders to address the crisis and restore learning at the school.

Meanwhile, the Lira City Inspector of Schools, Grace Monica Adong, confirmed that her office is aware of the situation. She says plans are underway to allocate funds for renovation in the 2026/2027 financial year.

However, Adong advised the school administration to also seek support from development partners and well-wishers, noting that government processes can sometimes delay.

As authorities weigh their response, the future of hundreds of pupils at Olaka Child Care Primary School remains uncertain, with urgent action needed to rebuild classrooms and return learners to school.