By Stanley Ebele
Amuria district did not participate in this year’s National Kids Athletics Championship, after head teachers’ association refused to organize school competitions, in protest of the district council’s decision to suspend the payment of Shs550 for games and sports.
Since 2015, the Sports department, through the head teachers’ association, has been collecting contributions from pupils to organize and facilitate athletics and ball games.
However, on March 27, 2025, Amuria District Council decided to suspend the collection of money from pupils, citing irregularities in fund management.
Simon Ojur, the district councilor representing Wera Sub County and a member of the health and education committee, confirmed the council’s decision and expressed concerns about the association’s legitimacy and accountability regarding the charges.
The council requested accountability for the past three academic years and an explanation for the additional charges imposed on learners.
Ojur, told Etoil A Karamoja that “the council also questioned why the head teacher’s association was charging pupils for games and sports, when the Ministry of Education and Sports already provides Shs60 million annually for co-curricular activities in the district”.
When contacted for a comment, David Esogu, the chairperson Amuria district Primary Head Teachers’ Association, told Etoil A Karamoja, that he was not comfortable discussing about the controversial matter, noting that it’s under investigation by the deputy Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
“The council assigned the deputy CAO to investigate the operations of the association and how the funds collected for co-funding sports activities were used, a reason why “I am not comfortable talking about the association until the report is presented to the Council,” said Esogu.
However, Etoil A Karamoja, has established that the head teachers through their umbrella body Amuria District Primary School Head Teachers Association have been collecting an estimate of Shs30 million from 54,400 pupils enrolled in 68 primary school in the district.
Michael Oloko, the Amuria Sports Officer, confirmed that major sporting activities had been halted until the Council lifts the ban on collection of games and sports fees.
He emphasized that the Shs12.5 million sent quarterly by the Ministry of Education and Sports was insufficient to support athletics at different competition levels.
Oloko explained that the district needed about Shs30 million for Sub County, zonal, and district competitions and an additional Shs14 million for the National Kids Athletics Championship.
Geoffrey Ewalu, Councilor of Asamuk Sub County, urged the council to reconsider its resolution, as it was causing a divide between teachers and the council.
He emphasized the importance of sports in education and talent development.
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