By Henry Okello
TORORO
Tororo Municipal Council stakeholders have given CK Associates, the contractor undertaking the construction of Aturukuku Seed Secondary School, a two-month ultimatum to complete works or risk contract termination.
The decision was reached during a heated meeting held Wednesday, where officials from both the district and municipality expressed disappointment over delayed completion of the project, saying learners in the municipality are struggling to access affordable education.
The contractor has so far received over Shs2.4 billion out of a total contract sum of Shs2.6 billion to construct three classroom blocks, an administration block, a laboratory and a library block. The same contractor was later awarded an additional contract to construct staff houses and a perimeter wall fence for the school.
According to the Project Coordinator, Teddy Makoola, works at the school started in April 2024 and were expected to be completed by September 2025. To date, the project stands at 78 percent completion.
Stakeholders expressed concern that the delayed completion will also delay the opening of the school. The Municipal Education Officer, who is also the Project Coordination Officer, said the Ministry of Education is eager to recruit staff for the school but cannot do so due to stalled works.
Tension rose during the meeting after the contractor tabled a request for additional funds to proceed with works despite limited progress on site.
The Tororo Municipality Town Clerk, Alikwan Ayub Kisubi, said he was hesitant to release more money to the contractor without tangible work progress.
The Municipality Mayor, Benard Ochieng, expressed deep disappointment with the contractor, saying the delay is affecting service delivery.
He warned that he would not support any further extension of the project at the expense of the municipality’s children.
He described the contract at Aturukuku Seed Secondary School as an embarrassment and a shame to the municipality due to delays and failure to pay workers to the tune of Shs35 million.
Ochieng said it was time to weed out corruption in all aspects of the municipality so that citizens can enjoy services without limitation.
The Tororo District Resident District Commissioner, Sadiq Bategana, said the contractor appeared unserious and did not support continuous release of funds to contractors. He also warned contractors against non-payment of staff.
The Town Clerk later adjusted his position and requested the meeting to allow him to release Shs100 million out of the Shs800 million being demanded by the contractor, as works are monitored to inform future releases.
The proposal was supported by the meeting, though with skepticism from some stakeholders who were still uncertain about the company’s capacity to deliver. The contractor was subsequently given a two-month ultimatum to complete the works.
The Director of CK Associates, Charles Kironde, pledged to comply with the meeting resolution and committed to completing the works within the stipulated time once funds are released.
Aturukuku Seed Secondary School was constructed under phase three of the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UGiFT) program. Government has already procured ICT and laboratory equipment for the school, which is currently kept in municipal stores. The municipal team is committed to ensuring the school starts by January next year.
