A consortium of non-governmental organisations comprising CEFORD, Nebbi NGO Forum, and Life Concern, with funding from Switzerland-based CO-OPERAID, has launched Phase II of the “Alochi Ku Somo” project aimed at improving education standards in Zombo District.
The second phase of the project, which began on January 1, 2025, will run until December 2027 at a total cost of UGX 4.8 billion. It follows the successful completion of Phase I, implemented with a budget of UGX 4.2 billion.
“Alochi Ku Somo,” which translates to “Let’s Value Education,” was first initiated in 2022 to improve academic performance and learner retention. The project focuses on teacher capacity building, classroom and staff quarters renovation, and youth skilling, among other objectives.
Under Phase II, the project is upgrading classrooms in seven primary schools: Pagisi Primary School in Paidha Sub-county, Mvugu Lower Primary and Mvule Primary School in Paidha Town Council, Pei Primary School in Warr Sub-county, Warr Public Primary School in Warr Town Council, and Nyandima and Angalarach Primary Schools in Atyak Sub-county.
In a bid to promote excellence and peer learning, the project has also identified and awarded one outstanding school director and ten exceptional teachers, who are expected to share their knowledge and best practices with peers in their respective sub-counties.
Paula Wathum, Director of Cana Primary School, was awarded UGX 2 million for her exemplary leadership. Each of the ten teachers received UGX 1.5 million, while their respective schools received UGX 1 million to support ongoing development projects.
The recognized teachers included:
- Gatrud Giramia – Nguthe Primary School
- Jerry Kisarach – Uwinyupyelo Primary School
- Dickson Ocan – Atyak Primary School
- Felix Adrapi – Ukemu Primary School
- Gloria Yikpamungu – Pagisi Primary School
- Patrick Binega – Got-Cam Primary School
- Grace Cwinyaai Atimango – Pei Primary School
- Keffa Ukurrwoth – Kaya Primary School
- Lilian Unziru – Nyandima Primary School
- Francis Acamfua – Warr Public Primary School
During the award ceremony held on April 14, 2025, at the Nebbi NGO Forum offices in Paidha Town Council, Alfred Ogenmungu, Project Officer of Alochi Ku Somo, emphasised that the support aims to enhance both teacher performance and learner outcomes.
“This money is meant to improve yourself and, most importantly, your learners,” Ogenmungu said.
Zombo District Community Development Officer Samuel Ochaki—who also chaired the jury responsible for selecting the awardees—highlighted the limited resources available for improving education in the district.
“We only have about UGX 200 million. That’s very little compared to the demand. What can we do without support like this?” he remarked.
Zombo District Schools Inspector, Silvio Jalar, encouraged the teachers to instill discipline and efficiency among learners and staff. “Let learners be able to apply what they are taught. Be the team that supports teachers to manage time, complete tasks, and nurture skillful, intelligent students with big hearts,” he urged.
John Paskal Wapokurwa, a representative of the Alur Kingdom, commended the consortium’s intervention, citing persistent poor performance among learners as a major concern. He recalled that in 2019, the greater Nebbi area ranked among the nine worst-performing districts in Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) nationally.
Award-winning school director Paula Wathum welcomed the recognition, calling it a product of merit. She revealed that she plans to use the prize money to pay tuition fees at Kyambogo University.
“We’ve encouraged teamwork among teachers, pupils, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), School Management Committee (SMC), and the community,” she noted.
Since its inception, the “Alochi Ku Somo” project has facilitated the construction and renovation of 21 classroom blocks and staff houses, achieved through joint efforts between the implementing partners, local authorities, and community members. The communities have contributed local materials such as bricks, sand, stones, and water, while CO-OPERAID has provided financial support for infrastructure development.
The initiative continues to be a beacon of hope for education improvement in the West Nile sub-region, setting a model for collaborative and community-driven development.
