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During her speech, Minister Kaboyo highlighted the urgent need to address the asbestos roofing in many educational institutions across the sub-region.
“One of the challenges I heard here is that there is asbestos in the school buildings. We learnt that this is very dangerous. I want to ask the leaders in the districts to do research and find out how many iron sheets are needed to get rid of the asbestos roofing so we can save our children from the danger of cancer,” she urged local leaders.
Asbestos, a material that was once widely used in construction due to its fire-resistant properties, has since been linked to serious health risks, including cancer. In many schools across Uganda, this harmful material still forms part of the roofing, posing a major health threat to both children and staff.
The government’s intervention, which includes the distribution of 15,333 iron sheets procured at a cost of UGX 942,978,783 during the 2023/2024 Financial Year, is a welcome relief. These sheets will be used to replace the asbestos roofs in schools and other public institutions, starting with the most affected areas.
The iron sheet distribution is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Luwero Triangle-Busoga Affairs to support infrastructure development in vulnerable communities. According to Kaboyo, the Ministry plans to procure an additional 15,000 iron sheets during the 2024/2025 Financial Year to continue this important work. The Minister stressed that the replacement of asbestos roofs is a key priority, given the severe health risks associated with prolonged exposure to the material.
The focus on replacing asbestos roofing was echoed by Edith Turyasasirwa, the Town Clerk of Iganga Municipal Council, who noted that many schools in the municipality still have asbestos roofing, which poses significant health risks for learners. She thanked the government for prioritising this issue, stating, “We are grateful for the iron sheets. They will be sent to primary schools which still have asbestos roofing, which remains a health issue for our learners.”
In addition to schools, the iron sheets will also be distributed to health centres and other institutions in need of roofing improvements. Jinja RDC Richard Gulume, who spoke at the event, praised the Ministry’s efforts to improve service delivery but called for greater oversight to ensure that the materials are used as intended.
“We need better service delivery in Busoga, and these iron sheets are a way of boosting our mobilisation. There is going to be an audit to ensure that the materials are used in accordance with the work plan,” he said.
Hon. Iddi Isabirye, Chairperson of the Busoga MPs caucus, also commended Minister Kaboyo for her transparency and dedication to the region. He noted that the public distribution of the iron sheets instills pride and confidence in the government’s efforts to improve infrastructure and service delivery.
This content was written with the help of an AI model and verified by the writer