MP. Kibale County (Pallisa) I Accountant I Researcher I Ex- ICU Minister I Farmer I Thinker I Business Consultant I Lecturer.
Jinja, Uganda
Joined July 2012
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Contentment lives not in what I own, but in the mind that refuses the falsehoods of my upbringing. I may inspire no one, yet I will die free. Your journey starts now.@atekerteso #Mentality #notomentalsalvery
Kibale Secondary School PTA AGM: A Growing School on the Brink
Today, after completing an oversight visit to Kibale Health Centre III, I joined parents, teachers, and learners at Kibale Secondary School for their Annual General Meeting. What I witnessed is both encouraging and deeply concerning.
The school has grown significantly. Enrolment now stands at 1,203 students spread across Senior One to Senior Six. This growth reflects the trust parents and the community have placed in the institution. Yet the same growth has exposed serious infrastructure and staffing gaps that threaten the quality of education and the very survival of the A-Level section.
The school currently has only 24 teachers. It needs 11 additional classrooms. It has no modern science laboratories, no suitable multipurpose hall, no ICT laboratory or equipment, no proper library, no staff accommodation, and no weather station. These are not luxuries; they are basic requirements for a secondary school expected to deliver quality teaching and learning.
The situation has been worsened by the recent pronouncement by the Minister for Local Government that no fees should be charged. As a result, even parents whose children are non-UPE students stopped paying. All 14 additional teachers the school had engaged have either left or withdrawn their services. The school is now struggling to administer end-of-year assessments because it lacks both stationery and teachers to set and mark the papers.
Parents, teachers, and learners present at the meeting made a clear and urgent appeal: government intervention is needed immediately to reverse the deepening crisis and prevent the near closure of the A-Level section.
Kibale Secondary School is not asking for special treatment. It is asking for the basic support required to educate the young people of Kibale County. I will continue to follow up on these issues at the appropriate levels so that the progress already made is not lost.
@Educ_SportsUg @JanetMuseveni @MoLGUganda @BalaamBarugahar @UNEB_UG @GovUganda @StateHouseUg @Parliament_Ug @ObothOboth @Thomas_Tayebwa
@DailyMonitor @newvisionwire @ntvuganda @nbstv @ubctvuganda @UgandaMediaCent
#KibaleCounty #EducationCrisis #UgandaEducation #Pallisa #NRM #KibaleSS
Today I conducted an oversight visit to Kibale Health Centre III, Kibale County, Pallisa District.
In-charge: Okiror Moses
HUMC Chairperson: Otingole Joseph (represented Vice Chairperson Mr. Osagara Joseph)
Key findings:
• Severe understaffing: Only 17 staff against 55 (new structure) or 19 (old establishment). District HR conducted a staff audit; request for 2 additional staff remains unfulfilled.
• High workload: 1,200 patients last month; monthly average ~2,000. Only 14 medical personnel + 3 support staff.
• Digital health system failing: Only 2 tablets for 7 service points → long patient waiting times. Two weekly outreaches also lack systems. Frequent fallback to manual records.
• No running water. Shared borehole with the community → security risks and trespass.
• No ambulance. Emergencies (including pregnant mothers) forced onto unsafe boda bodas.
• No ultrasound/scanning services despite government policy requiring at least 3 scans per pregnancy.
• Staff accommodation crisis: Only 6 units; most staff commute from outside.
• Dilapidated infrastructure: Old pit latrines (no disability access), rusty/old beds, torn mattresses, broken floors, and poor hygiene.
• Drug stock critically low: Only UGX 5 million allocation for a catchment of ~23,000 people. Heavily dependent on Global Fund and other donations.
• Some medicines unlabelled — violates policy and increases risk of theft and open-market diversion.
• Qualification mismatch: 12 staff hold higher qualifications for Senior Clinical Officer posts, yet only 3 are properly appointed; others remain in lower positions.
• HUMC and Kibale Council previously requisitioned upgrade to HC IV — no response yet.
These gaps are undermining service delivery and endangering lives in Kibale County.
I call on the responsible authorities to urgently address staffing, medicines, ambulance, water, scanning equipment, accommodation, and infrastructure, and to respond to the HC IV upgrade request.
@MinofHealthUG @CHRISBARYOMUNS1 @DianaAtwine @DrAyumeCharles @nmsuganda @LocalPallisa @ntvuganda @DailyMonitor @newvisionwire @UgandaMediaCent @GovUganda
Emergency referral is broken. No ambulance + no scanning services for pregnant mothers directly contradicts national policy. Mothers and critically ill patients are at unnecessary risk.
Staffing and workload remain the biggest bottleneck. 17 staff handling ~2,000 patients monthly is unsustainable. The unfulfilled request after the district HR audit needs immediate action from @MinofHealthUG and the District Service Commission.
When the unexpected….
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." Marcus Mossiah Garvey.
I have joined my kin and Kith, the Iteso, here at Acunet, Malaba Stadium, Amagoro, for the 4th Coronation Anniversary of the Emorimor Papa Iteso, HRH. @PapaEmorimor . We are a people with a resilient ancestry, defined by virtues of hardwork, integrity and pursuit of wisdom.
I wish the Emorimor Papa Iteso and all Iteso, a memorable celebration
@teso_tower , @Mglsd_UG
#Culture
Today I met head teachers of primary schools across Kibale County, together with representatives of parents from the parishes. The headteacher from Kamuge Olinga Primary School was present.
Also with us was Rev. Wycliff Omukaga, parish priest of the Anglican Church.
They shared the hard truths we can no longer ignore. Lower classes are overcrowded. There are too few teachers, leaving pupil-to-teacher ratios painfully high. Many children still arrive without school clothing, scholastic materials, or basic welfare support from home. Teachers have no proper accommodation, and the lack of meals or even simple refreshments leaves them exhausted by the afternoon, weakening the lessons our children need most.
It was also noted that some schools have far more female teachers than male, while others have the opposite — yet we all know a healthy balance is ideal for the growth of both our boys and girls.
Most urgent of all: our PLE candidates are due to sit their papers next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, on empty stomachs.
I have therefore provided every school with funds sufficient to feed the pupils and officers throughout the examination period. No child of Kibale County should walk into that examination room hungry.
These are our children. Their future should not be dimmed by hunger, overcrowding, or neglect. I give my word that I will raise these matters — teacher shortages, gender balance in staffing, lack of accommodation, and the need for sustained support — with the relevant government offices until lasting solutions are found.
To every head teacher who keeps showing up, to the parent representatives, to Rev. Omukaga, and to every child who will sit for PLE next week: you are seen, you are valued, and we will keep walking this path together.
@MoES_UG @MoFPED_UG @MoGLSD_UG @EducationUg @PallisaDLG @DailyMonitor @NewVisionUganda @NTVUganda @NBSTv #KibaleCounty #Pallisa #EducationMatters #PLE2026 #ForOurChildren
MP. Okwi Constantine retweeted
Building bilateral partnerships that last beyond a single meeting requires House-to-House friendships in the form of Parliamentary Diplomacy.
I have held several meetings on the sidelines of the just concluded 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which included two important partners – the Russian State Duma and the Thailand House of Representatives delegations.
While meeting the delegation from Russia early this week, in New Delhi, we exchanged invitations to visit Kampala and Moscow.
The meetings will help our parliamentarians and staff to learn from the experiences of both countries. The Duma will set up a group of deputies dedicated to relations with Uganda. Russia supplies most of the wheat we import, and I want to see more Ugandan coffee reach Russian consumers.
With Speaker Sophon Saram of Thailand’s House of Representatives, I exchanged gifts in the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan.
Uganda and Thailand are both BRICS partner countries, yet our trade remains small. In 2025, Uganda sold goods worth $383,530 to Thailand and bought goods worth $27.25 million. A parliamentary friendship group between our two Houses will help close that gap.
Our delegation, including Leader of the Opposition Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, showed both partners that Government and Opposition stand together on matters of national interest for Uganda.
#BRICSPF2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #Uganda #Russia #Thailand
MP. Okwi Constantine retweeted
The just-ended 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi has been a crucial event, especially regarding the critical role of Parliaments.
In my address to the forum today, I raised the key issues that parliaments ought to focus on in order to be trusted by the people and also be able to construct people-centred legislation for the millions of people across the BRICS countries.
I outlined some of the issues that Parliaments have to grapple with to earn the trust of the masses and ensure that legislation passed makes a difference in the lives of millions of people spread over the vast terrain of the BRICS countries.
The word sustainability means nothing if you do not improve the lives of the people by providing them with clean water, decent jobs, education, and a means to earn a living to sustain themselves.
For the theme of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on the role of Parliaments in fostering a sustainable and inclusive future for their nations, sustainability for Uganda’s millions of people would mean a lot more if they had clean water, decent employment, education, etc to create secure livelihoods for them.
The climate change committee and environment committee of the Uganda Parliament have begun to include sustainability in the national development planning framework.
But more important is the implementation of the sustainability policies on the ground in terms of funding and what more we can do as parliament, be held accountable, and ensure that the climate change funds are reaching where they are supposed to reach.
Present was the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, and other members of the delegation who demonstrated that the Government and Opposition of Uganda stand together.
For God and My Country.
@ParliamentUG #BRICSPF2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #ParliamentUG #PeoplesParliamentUG
MP. Okwi Constantine retweeted
Dear Fellow Citizens,
I arrived in New Delhi today for the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, which runs from 26 to 27 October under the theme “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development.”
I am joined by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi (Nakawa West), Hon. Betty Nakisita Mpongo (Namutumba District), Hon. Sowedi Ismail Mulemya (Busia Municipality) and Hon. Annet Katusiime Mugisha (Bushenyi District). Government and Opposition are here together for Uganda’s national interest.
As a BRICS partner country, our delegation will contribute to discussions on building strong institutions, how to ensure sustainable development and a fairer global governance, digital innovation and human-centred artificial intelligence.
This all because we have placed our people at the centre of the legislative agenda of the 12th Parliament.
#BRICSPF2026 #BRICSIndia2026 #BRICS2026
Parliament Education Committee oversight at UHPAB exposes a painful paradox: 65% of qualified medical personnel remain unemployed, yet 69% of health-care delivery positions stay unfilled.
Health training facilities have proliferated, but costs are unaffordable for most students and parents. UHPAB requested 500bn and received only 1.3bn — yet the team has still delivered solid work so far on building a unified, competency-based assessment system under the TVET Act.
Credible standards are the gateway to orderly bilateral externalisation. Funding, affordability and absorption must now match the effort. #UHPAB #HealthWorkforce
@MinofHealthUG @Educ_SportsUg @mofpedU @JCMuyingo @UHPABofficial
@DailyMonitor @newvisionwire @nilepostnews @UGIndependent @ntvuganda @Fireliglntfi
This afternoon my heart broke with the family of my cousin, Mr. Arikod Simon, our cell LC1 Chairperson. We buried his young daughter, Akol Mary — taken too soon by ovarian cancer.
At her age, no one saw this coming. Late diagnosis and distant facilities stole her from us.
We must wake up: sensitize our people on non-communicable diseases and bring early diagnosis and treatment closer to every home.
@MinofHealthUG @CHRISBARYOMUNS1 @DianaAtwine @UgandaCancerIns
Rest in peace, Akol Mary. Strength to the family.
This morning I conducted an oversight visit to Oladot Health Centre III, Opwateta Subcounty, Pallisa District.
The facility attended 1,031 clients in September and has strong local oversight from HUMC Chairperson Tukei George Opolot.
However, major gaps remain:
• Staffing: Only 15 staff against the old establishment of 19 and the new approved structure of 55. Critical vacancies include Clinical Officer, Laboratory Technician and Assistant Nursing Officer (Midwifery).
• Incomplete works: Incinerator unfinished, kitchen not commissioned (chimney not working), poor plumbing and broken door hinges still within the defect liability period, water pump broken for one month, and solar batteries failing within 3 years.
• Equipment underused: Oxygen concentrator, gas cylinders, eye clinic and theatre equipment available but largely idle due to lack of electricity, human resources and appropriate facility status. Electricity is urgently needed for preterm equipment.
• Medicines & stores: Some medicines are not labelled “Government of Uganda – Not for Sale,” making them susceptible to theft and sale on the open market. The store is also very small and needs expansion under UgIFT 2.
• Data systems: Lab and triage lack computers (existing units bought second-hand); 4 more computers and a printer are needed.
I call on the relevant authorities to urgently address staffing, infrastructure, medicine labelling and utility gaps so this facility can fully serve our people.
@MinofHealthUG @CHRISBARYOMUNS1 @DianaAtwine @JaneRuth_Aceng @LocalPallisa @DailyMonitor @ntvuganda @newvisionwire
#HealthForAll #Pallisa #Accountability #UgIFT
Yesterday I conducted an oversight engagement with the management and students of Kibale Secondary School, Kibale Town Council, Kibale County, Pallisa District.
Classroom investment is commendable, but the school still lacks a library, modern ICT and science laboratories, a multipurpose hall, games and sports facilities, and hostel/boarding facilities. Understaffing is severe.
Parents and the PTA had cost-shared to recruit 15 teachers to fill the gap. Following the recent declaration by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. @BalaamBarugahar, all these teachers have been disengaged. This has created a learning crisis: the entire A-Level section currently has no teachers, and subjects such as Biology have only one teacher.
Students are appealing for urgent government action—either deploy more teachers or allow parental cost-sharing so the disengaged teachers can resume duty. They also request additional classrooms, a library, modern labs, a sports arena, and hostel facilities.
Kibale SS is a strategic school. Proper staffing and infrastructure investment will unlock secondary education access for Kibale County and the wider region.
I call on @Educ_SportsUg @JanetMuseveni @DrMuyingo @MoLGUganda and the relevant departments to intervene swiftly and restore learning.
#EducationForAll #KibaleSS #Pallisa #NRM
MP. Okwi Constantine retweeted
Fellow citizens,
I have seen some reports in the media about the on-going validation exercise of the staff of the Parliamentary Service.
There is no panic. There's bliss!
For fairness and transparency, I requested the assistance of Head of Public Service because Parliamentary service is indeed Public Service .
It is not the interest of the new leadership of Parliament to see anyone lose a job. The nation should not overthink this. Everyone should take it easy and keep serving.
I would like to assure the country that this exercise is a normal process. What we are doing is a simple exercise of restoring morale ,intergrity and sanity in the parliamentary service.
When you are called a senior, you should actually be a senior. When you are a principal, you should actually be a principal. You can become a director whether you joined in 2024 or 2026, but it must come with the right qualifications and experience.
Think of public service as a race.
Everyone should begin from the same starting line and run fairly to the finish. That is all this validation seeks to ensure.
I grew up through merit. I did interviews from the entry point and was shortlisted among many. I had no god parent in public service God was instead, my parent. I know it is possible to grow. And as Parliamentary Service, we are taking the lead on this.
I, therefore, appeal for patience and all staff should remain calm and go about their activities normally.
Yesterday I conducted an oversight engagement with the management and students of Kibale Secondary School, Kibale Town Council, Kibale County, Pallisa District.
Classroom investment is commendable, but the school still lacks a library, modern ICT and science laboratories, a multipurpose hall, games and sports facilities, and hostel/boarding facilities. Understaffing is severe.
Parents and the PTA had cost-shared to recruit 15 teachers to fill the gap. Following the recent declaration by the Minister of Local Government, Hon. @BalaamBarugahar, all these teachers have been disengaged. This has created a learning crisis: the entire A-Level section currently has no teachers, and subjects such as Biology have only one teacher.
Students are appealing for urgent government action—either deploy more teachers or allow parental cost-sharing so the disengaged teachers can resume duty. They also request additional classrooms, a library, modern labs, a sports arena, and hostel facilities.
Kibale SS is a strategic school. Proper staffing and infrastructure investment will unlock secondary education access for Kibale County and the wider region.
I call on @Educ_SportsUg @JanetMuseveni @DrMuyingo @MoLGUganda and the relevant departments to intervene swiftly and restore learning.
#EducationForAll #KibaleSS #Pallisa #NRM
MP. Okwi Constantine retweeted
Today I fellowshipped with the Catholic Christians of St. Jude Catholic Church, Otelepai, Kibale Town Council, Kibale County.
The Christians expressed deep concern over the prolonged drought that has caused famine and a severe shortage of planting materials. They also highlighted the collapse of education delivery following directives from the Hon. Minister of Local Government @BalaamBarugahar. Specifically at Kibale SS, all 13 teachers previously sustained by PTA contributions have been disengaged, putting the A’ Level section at imminent risk of closure.
They appealed for urgent government intervention in form of relief food, together with seeds of maize, beans, millet, sorghum and peas, as well as cassava cuttings. They further called for appropriate funding of the education sector so that the objectives of free education can be genuinely realised.
Our people are suffering. Immediate action is required.
@KagutaMuseveni @R_Nabbanja @OPMUganda @SamEngola3 @MAAIF_Uganda @FrankTumwebazek @Educ_SportsUg @JanetMuseveni @mofpedU @MoLGUganda @LocalPallisa @GovUganda
#KibaleCounty #Pallisa #DroughtRelief #EducationForAll #ServiceDelivery
