Rukungiri – The office of the Rukungiri District Resident Commissioner (RDC) has recovered Shs1.16 million that was raised for the construction of three classrooms at Rwera Primary School in Ruhinda Sub-county.
The money, which had reportedly been raised during a fundraising ceremony about two years ago, had not been used for the intended purpose, leaving parents and the school community concerned about the stalled development project.
The recovery of the funds follows concerns raised by parents during a recent visit to the school by the Rujumbura Member of Parliament, Rtd. Maj. Gen. Jim K. Muhwezi.
During the visit early this week, parents highlighted the missing funds as one of the challenges affecting the development of Rwera Primary School. They called for intervention to ensure that money contributed by the community for the improvement of the school is put to its intended use.
The concerns prompted follow-up by the office of the Rukungiri District Resident Commissioner, Bron Kikanshemeza, which eventually recovered the Shs1.16 million.
The recovered funds were subsequently handed over to the school administrators by Kikanshemeza, paving the way for the school to proceed with plans to utilise the money for the intended development activities.
The recovery has been welcomed by the school community, which has continued to face challenges related to infrastructure and the need for additional classroom space.
The proposed construction of three classrooms is expected to contribute to improving the learning environment at Rwera Primary School and address some of the infrastructure needs raised by parents.
Parents had expressed concern that the failure to account for or utilise funds collected for the project was frustrating efforts to improve the school. The intervention by the RDC’s office has now brought the issue back into focus, with attention expected to shift towards ensuring that the recovered money is properly utilised.
The fundraising that generated the money took place approximately two years ago, with members of the community and other well-wishers contributing towards the construction project.
The recovery also underscores the importance of accountability in the management of funds collected for community development projects, particularly those intended to improve education facilities.
Speaking during the handover, Kikanshemeza formally returned the money to the school administration, which is now expected to manage the funds in line with their intended purpose.
The development comes at a time when parents, school administrators and local leaders are seeking ways to improve facilities at Rwera Primary School.
The intervention follows the visit by Rtd. Maj. Gen. Muhwezi, during which parents used the opportunity to bring the matter to the attention of leaders.
With the Shs1.16 million now back in the hands of the school administration, attention is expected to turn to the next steps towards the construction of the three classrooms and ensuring that the funds are put to the intended use.
