By Denis Arao
Maurzi County Member of Parliament Peter Obong Acuda has called on the government to allocate funds for the renovation of historic, government-aided senior secondary schools. He argued that these institutions, which have produced countless prominent citizens, are being neglected while excessive resources are directed toward establishing new seed secondary schools. According to the MP, this imbalance risks leaving the older schools in a state of collapse, and he urged the government to revive them for the benefit of future generations.
MP Obong raised this matter of national importance on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, August 27, 2026. He highlighted the deteriorating status of traditional senior secondary schools built between the early 1960s and 1980s, noting that their current conditions stand in stark contrast to the newly established seed schools. He lamented that while significant investment is being channeled into constructing new schools, little to no attention is being given to upgrading the aging infrastructure of the historical institutions.
“From my observations, most of these traditional senior secondary schools cannot compete with the modern structures of the current seed schools,” Obong stated. He pointed out that the historical schools lack essential facilities such as well-equipped laboratories, functional libraries, and adequate classroom blocks—all of which are standard in the newer seed schools. This disparity, he noted, places the older institutions at a significant disadvantage.
The MP specifically cited several affected schools, including Akokoro SS in Apac District, Aromo SS in Lira District, Apala SS in Alebtong District, Chegere in Apac, Chawente in Kwania, Dr. Obote College in Lira City, Lango College, Lira Town College, Comboni College, and Ibuje SS, among others. He urged the government to adopt his proposal and begin investing in these historical schools across the country, rather than focusing solely on the establishment of new seed schools.
To address the declining student enrollment in these traditional schools, Obong emphasized that the government must first assess and improve their status before proceeding with the creation of more new seed schools. He observed that today’s students are increasingly drawn to institutions with modern, well-equipped facilities and attractive classroom structures.
As a final example, the MP cited Akokoro SS, a school built in the early 1960s–80s, which currently has fewer than 200 learners. In contrast, he noted that new seed schools, despite being day schools, are attracting over 1,000 students each. This, he argued, is a clear indication that investment in infrastructure directly impacts enrollment, and he called for immediate action to restore the glory of Uganda’s historic secondary schools.MP Acuda Urges Government to Prioritize Renovation of Historic Senior Secondary Schools Over New Seed Schools
Maurzi County Member of Parliament Peter Obong Acuda has called on the government to allocate funds for the renovation of historic, government-aided senior secondary schools. He argued that these institutions, which have produced countless prominent citizens, are being neglected while excessive resources are directed toward establishing new seed secondary schools. According to the MP, this imbalance risks leaving the older schools in a state of collapse, and he urged the government to revive them for the benefit of future generations.
MP Obong raised this matter of national importance on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, August 27, 2026. He highlighted the deteriorating status of traditional senior secondary schools built between the early 1960s and 1980s, noting that their current conditions stand in stark contrast to the newly established seed schools. He lamented that while significant investment is being channeled into constructing new schools, little to no attention is being given to upgrading the aging infrastructure of the historical institutions.
“From my observations, most of these traditional senior secondary schools cannot compete with the modern structures of the current seed schools,” Obong stated. He pointed out that the historical schools lack essential facilities such as well-equipped laboratories, functional libraries, and adequate classroom blocks—all of which are standard in the newer seed schools. This disparity, he noted, places the older institutions at a significant disadvantage.
The MP specifically cited several affected schools, including Akokoro SS in Apac District, Aromo SS in Lira District, Apala SS in Alebtong District, Chegere in Apac, Chawente in Kwania, Dr. Obote College in Lira City, Lango College, Lira Town College, Comboni College, and Ibuje SS, among others. He urged the government to adopt his proposal and begin investing in these historical schools across the country, rather than focusing solely on the establishment of new seed schools.
To address the declining student enrollment in these traditional schools, Obong emphasized that the government must first assess and improve their status before proceeding with the creation of more new seed schools. He observed that today’s students are increasingly drawn to institutions with modern, well-equipped facilities and attractive classroom structures.
As a final example, the MP cited Akokoro SS, a school built in the early 1960s–80s, which currently has fewer than 200 learners. In contrast, he noted that new seed schools, despite being day schools, are attracting over 1,000 students each. This, he argued, is a clear indication that investment in infrastructure directly impacts enrollment, and he called for immediate action to restore the glory of Uganda’s historic secondary schools.