By Solomon Hamala
BUGWERI
Government has committed Shs800 million towards kick starting the operation of Mbiggiti Memorial Technical Institute in Bugweri district.
A total of Shs600 million will be used towards construction of two modern girls and boys dormitories while the remaining balance (200 million) will cater for purchase of equipment and furniture.
Work on the vocational institute had stalled four years back as a result of shortage of funds.
The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Bugweri, Nelson Kirenda said in an interview at his offices today 16th February 2021 that the institute is expected to start full operations next academic year.
“We are in the process of getting a bidder to carry out construction work on the dormitories besides purchase of equipment to be used,” he said.
Kirenda said the Ministry of Education and Sports has already dispatched a standby principal to supervise the construction awaiting a substantive appointment.
He said the institution will have the capacity to admit over 1000 students for different vocational courses upon completion.
The institution is a fulfillment of President Yoweri Museveni promise in memory of the late FRONASA rebel, James Mbiggiti who was shot dead by soldiers loyal to Milton Obote for offering support to NRA soldiers during their bush war.
Kirenda said President Yoweri Museveni during his campaign trail in 2016 while paying a visit to children of the deceased Mbiggiti in Makuttu Sub County upon a request by the late second deputy Prime Minister Kirunda Kivenjinja promised to construct a vocational institute in the area in memory of Mbiggiti.
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Bugweri, Richard Gulume said the institution will save parents huge sums of money.
“These facilities should be utilized by the locals instead of bringing in children from elsewhere to study here,” he said.
Gulume urged parents to encourage their children take up vocational courses saying they will be assured of being job creators upon completion of their courses instead of moving up and down seeking for jobs.
“Some people have a belief that vocational courses are for failures which is not true,” he said.
The LC 5 elect Bugweri district, Hajji Shafiq Muziransa pledged to mobilize parents to embrace vocational education as a way of fighting unemployment in the district.
Residents of Bugweri district have expressed excitement following the news that Mbigitti vocational institute is finally set to begin operation.
The LC 3 elect Makutu Sub County, John Kirunda said majority of youths in the area are expected to acquire none and skilled jobs within the institute.
“Many of our youths in the area are qualified but lacked jobs and this is the only opportunity for them to earn a living,” he said.
