By Woo Chris
Oyam, Uganda – Learning has been severely disrupted at Amwa Demonstration Primary School in Myene Sub County after a violent windstorm tore through the school on April 12, 2025, ripping off the roofs of two classroom blocks and damaging educational materials.
The storm, which struck in the afternoon, left the Primary Three and Primary Four classrooms completely roofless.
Over 530 pupils now have no designated space for lessons as the rainy season intensifies.
Head Teacher Achola Harriet Jeneth described the incident as devastating.
“Our learners were left stranded. It’s not just the roofs that were lost books and learning materials were destroyed too. We urgently need help to restore a safe learning environment,” she said.
Labo Santos Omeny, Chairperson of the school’s Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), confirmed the extent of the damage and revealed that nearby Amwa Trading Centre was also affected.
He has called for an emergency PTA meeting on Wednesday to mobilize resources for temporary repairs while awaiting government assistance.
David Adea, Acting District Education Officer for Oyam, stated that an inspection team would be dispatched to assess the damage.
He added that the district plans to construct two new classroom blocks at the school under the school maintenance grant, though timelines remain unclear.
Adea also emphasized the importance of integrating climate resilience strategies, such as tree planting, into school environments to reduce future risks.
Amwa Demonstration Primary School currently accommodates 1,756 pupils, many of whom already study in aging and dilapidated classrooms.
The recent storm damage has only worsened the school’s infrastructure challenges, putting pressure on both parents and education authorities to act swiftly.