On Friday, February 14, 2025, Hon. David Ochwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Agule County in Pallisa District, held a heartwarming ceremony at the Agule Church of Uganda Archdeaconry Headquarters to reward top Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidates from 18 primary schools in his constituency.
The event marked the culmination of Ochwa’s longstanding commitment to supporting education in his community and ensuring that the children of Agule County receive the recognition they deserve for their academic achievements.
The ceremony was a testament to Hon. Ochwa’s promise to go beyond the conventional selection of Division One students and instead reward the top six performers from each school, regardless of their division.
This inclusive approach was warmly praised by the parents in attendance, who expressed gratitude for the MP’s effort to encourage excellence across all levels.
Clement Orem, one of the parents, shared his appreciation for Hon. Ochwa’s consistency in delivering on his promises.
“Hon. Ochwa has always kept his word. He promised to provide candidates with test materials, mathematical sets, and food during their PLE, and he has done exactly that. Today’s surprise gifts, including mattresses, metallic boxes, and blankets, are beyond what we expected,” Orem said.
In a similar vein, Jane Akido Nwanika, another parent, expressed gratitude for Hon. Ochwa’s persistence in continuing educational initiatives even when faced with challenges.
“We wasted eight years while he was out of parliament, all due to some people’s attempts to undermine his work. But now that he is back, look at what he has done. He has invested UGX 200,000 in each beneficiary. I urge Agule to keep supporting him,” she said
The event also featured an inspiring message from Ben Okoboi, a standout candidate from Good Shepherd Primary School, who topped the county with an aggregate of 8 in the PLE.
Okoboi expressed deep gratitude to Hon. Ochwa for his support, particularly in paying part of his school fees at Teso College Aloet.
“Without Hon. Ochwa’s help, I wouldn’t have made it this far. His contribution to my education has been invaluable,” he said.
Rev. Patrick Etukuri, the priest of Kibale Parish, who presided over the mass during the event, also lauded the MP for his role in establishing the Agule Institute of Health Sciences and Management, which has been instrumental in improving the local community.
However, Rev. Etukuri raised concerns about interference from the Pallisa Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Magid Dhikusooka’s office in school fee matters.
He criticized the RDC for dismissing parents’ decisions on modest contributions to improve school infrastructure and teacher accommodation.
“Teachers lack accommodation, and this directly affects the performance of students. We need to support our schools in any way we can,” Rev. Etukuri remarked.
In response, RDC Magid Dhikusooka, who was the chief guest at the event, emphasized the government’s position on school fees.
“There is no negotiation on school fees in government schools because it is a presidential directive. If parents have the means, they can opt for private schools,” Dhikusooka said firmly, adding that parents must adhere to government policies, even if they are difficult.
Hon. Ochwa took the opportunity to remind parents about the importance of prioritizing education.
“Education is the key to a better future. I started this initiative in 2011, and today some of my beneficiaries have gone on to achieve great success, including one girl who is now an aircraft engineer. I have always believed in the potential of every student, and today’s rewards are just one way of showing that,” Ochwa stated.
Mr. Omutuju Ronald, the Pallisa District Education Officer, also took a moment to commend the MP for his tireless dedication to the education sector.
“Hon. Ochwa has been a great supporter of education in Agule. During the Continuous Professional Development workshop held at the Agule Institute of Health Sciences and Management, he fulfilled his pledge and supported not only the government schools but also the private ones,” Omutuju said.
About Author
