Mugulu High School  Appeals for Government Intervention Over Staffing and Infrastructure Crisis.

By Ambrose Wanagoli.

The Headteacher of Mugulu High School, Eric Higenyi Hamba, has appealed to the government for urgent intervention to address critical staffing shortages, deteriorating infrastructure, and inadequate funding that continue to affect the operations of the government-aided school.

Speaking during an interview at the school on Friday, Hamba said Mugulu High School lacks government-recruited teachers in key subjects, including Kiswahili, Physical Education, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Entrepreneurship, and Agriculture.

As a result, the school has been forced to hire teachers locally to ensure learning continues.

According to Hamba, the school has a staff of 20 teachers, but only 12 are on the government payroll. The remaining teachers are paid using limited contributions from parents, placing a heavy financial burden on the institution.

He also expressed concern over the school’s inadequate government funding, revealing that Mugulu High School receives an annual grant of only Shs10 million.

He called for an increase in the capitation grant under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme, where the government currently provides Shs55,000 per student.

“We request the government to increase the capitation grant to at least Shs100,000 per student if Mugulu High School is to regain its former glory,” Hamba said.

During a tour of the school, journalists observed several facilities in poor condition, including the headteacher’s office, which has a termite-damaged roof and a persistent bat infestation.

The staff pit latrine was also found to be dilapidated, forcing teachers to share toilets with students. Other challenges included vandalised computers, damaged electrical installations, a destroyed lightning arrester, and staff quarters that are on the verge of collapse.

Hamba said he has written to the Ministry of Education and Sports several times seeking assistance but has not received any response.

He added that efforts to mobilise parental support have been undermined by resistance to cost-sharing, which he linked to public statements discouraging extra school charges.

“We are in a desperate situation at Mugulu High School. Teachers are forced to share toilets with students, which is embarrassing.

My office roof has been destroyed by termites, while bats have occupied the ceiling, causing an unbearable smell. I have written to the ministry several times, but there has been no response,” Hamba said.

He also warned that weakened buildings pose a serious safety risk to both learners and staff, especially as the rainy season approaches and strong winds are expected.

The school’s Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) chairperson, John Weere, raised concerns over the feeding programme, saying only about 30 students currently receive meals at school.

“Many learners spend the afternoon without food. Some attend lunch-hour prayer sessions for comfort, while others leave school because of hunger,” Weere said.

He noted that during the Annual General Meeting, parents had agreed to contribute Shs40,000 towards the feeding programme. However, many have reportedly failed to honour the resolution, leaving the programme struggling.

Hamba said the school’s enrolment has grown from about 150 students when he assumed office to the current 354 learners. Mugulu High School sits on approximately 30 acres of land.

Once among the largest secondary schools in the former Tororo District, Mugulu High School previously enrolled more than 2,000 students and has produced several prominent alumni, including former Bunyole West Member of Parliament Geoffrey Eric Mutiwa