Lango leaders seek increased budget for school disaster management

7 May 2026, 9:11 pm

By Winnie Auma

Asection of leaders in Lango are calling on government to increase funding for disaster management in schools following the increasing cases of destruction caused by storms and strong winds.

The Otuke District Education Officer, Lucy Achieng, said the money provided to government schools under the School Facility Grant is too little to effectively respond to disasters.

Achieng explained that most of the funds are spent on renovating old and dilapidated classrooms, leaving districts struggling to handle emergencies such as schools whose roofs are blown off by storms.She noted that many schools require urgent repairs after disasters, but inadequate funding delays quick response and affects learning.

Achieng said the situation can only improve if government increases funding specifically meant for disaster management in schools.

The Secretary for Finance in Lira District, Patrick Ogwal Enyema, also said local governments receive limited funds for disaster response, making it difficult to handle major damages in schools and other public institutions.

Enyema explained that districts are often forced to request the education department to allocate funds for repairs in the following financial year, yet the affected schools require immediate intervention.

Meanwhile, the Secretary for Education in Oyam District, Beatrice Okello, appealed to parents and communities to support schools facing disaster related challenges, especially where classroom roofs have been blown off by windstorms.

Okello said government funding processes take time because they require planning and budgeting, making community support important in addressing emergencies quickly.

The leaders now want government to prioritize disaster management funding in schools to ensure quick response to emergencies and minimize disruption to learners across the region.