Serere County Member of Parliament Emmanuel Omoding has pledged to intensify efforts to improve education and health service delivery in the district if re-elected for a second term.
He emphasized close collaboration with local government structures to pressure central government for increased investment in the two critical sectors.
Omoding made the remarks while addressing supporters during campaign meetings in Kateta and Kyere sub-counties, where hundreds of residents, local leaders, teachers, and health workers gathered to hear his development agenda.
The legislator said that while notable progress has been made during his first term, persistent gaps in education and healthcare require stronger advocacy and coordinated action at both district and national levels.
“Education and health remain the backbone of our community’s development,” Omoding told the rallies. “In my second term, I will work hand in hand with local councils, district leaders, and relevant ministries to ensure that our people access quality education and reliable healthcare services.”
On education, the MP outlined a multi-pronged strategy aimed at expanding access, improving quality, and reducing the financial burden on parents.
Omoding said he would work with local councils to ensure that each sub-county in Serere has at least one government-aided secondary school, noting that long distances to schools have contributed to high dropout rates, especially among girls.
He further pledged to lobby government for the official coding of all community primary and secondary schools, a move that would allow government to deploy and pay teachers directly.
According to Omoding, this intervention would significantly ease the financial pressure on parents who currently struggle to meet teachers’ salary obligations in many community-founded schools.
“Parents are overwhelmed by school-related costs, yet education is a right,” he said. “Coding these schools will not only stabilize learning but also motivate teachers by guaranteeing their salaries.”
The MP also committed to advocating for increased salaries for teachers and other civil servants, arguing that better pay is essential for improved performance and service delivery.
He stressed the importance of constant engagement with teachers through consultative meetings aimed at identifying challenges, improving classroom performance, and promoting professionalism.
In addition, Omoding pledged to improve teachers’ welfare by introducing a teachers’ motivational programme in Serere County.
He explained that the initiative would recognize outstanding teachers, support capacity-building opportunities, and promote a culture of excellence within schools.
Health care formed the second pillar of Omoding’s campaign message.
The MP said he would continue supporting health programmes, community outreaches, and medical camps, which he noted have helped bring essential services closer to hard-to-reach communities.
Among his key priorities is lobbying for the upgrade of Serere Health Centre IV into a fully-fledged district hospital.
Omoding argued that the upgrade would reduce referrals to distant hospitals, cut transport costs for patients, and improve emergency response within the county.
“Our people should not travel long distances to access specialized care,” he said. “Upgrading the Health Centre IV into a district hospital will save lives and improve service efficiency.”
He also expressed support for the establishment of a Serere County Health Sub-District, which he described as a community hospital that would strengthen decentralized health service delivery.
According to the MP, such a facility would enhance coordination, supervision, and accountability across lower health units.
Omoding further committed to supporting regular monitoring and supervision of all health centres in the county, saying this would improve service standards, ensure availability of medicines, and address absenteeism among health workers.
Local party leaders welcomed the MP’s proposals, describing them as timely and aligned with the needs of the community.
Michael Agwaru, a senior party mobiliser, said education and health challenges continue to hinder development in Serere, and called for collective support behind Omoding’s agenda.
“These ideas speak directly to the struggles of our people,” Agwaru said. “If implemented, they will transform livelihoods and secure a better future for our children.”
Martin Ocung, another party leader, praised Omoding for consulting widely and prioritizing social services.
He urged residents to remain united and actively participate in development initiatives at grassroots level.
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