By Mike Rwothomio

Zombo Politicians have been cautioned against interfering with the implementation of the Local Government Zombo Education Ordinance 2024 , that it's formulation process started in 2023.

Zombo district with support from Nebbi NGO- Forum and partners, kick-started it's education ordinance formulation in 2023, to champion education in the area.

The Ordinance dubbed " Local Government Zombo Education Ordinance 2024" underwent through rigorous perusal by the ministry of Local Government and solicitor general, and was recently sent back to Zombo for leaders to append their signatures.

Ordinances are laws made by districts and city councils in accordance with the procedure provided for under Section 38 (7) and Part IV of the third Schedule of the Local Government Act.

On Wednesday 19 February 2025 at Zombo District Council Hall, the leaders eventually appended their signatures on the long awaited heavy document, that contains trove of strategies and guidelines that will act as handrail to improve education in the district.

During the short event , Hassan Ringtho, the council speaker of Zombo in his remark , issued a stern warning especially to the Politicians against interfering with the implementation of the Ordinance. He also acknowledges the roles played the council of Zombo , leaders, stakeholders and CSOs towards the Ordinance formulation.

" I want to call upon our elected leaders, let's not interfere with the implementation process of the Ordinance, in many circumstances, the technocrats are blaming us political leaders that we are becoming roadblocks in the implementation of government programs " Ringtho said in parts.

Recently, the District Education department released a damning report about low transition rate of learners from Primary to secondary education, puting it at an average 10 percent.

Nickolas Odeba, the district Education Officer shared that the Ordinance will amongst others "promote education, seek to stamp out child labour and also provides for penalties for contravention of the Ordinance" . He also called for concerted effort across board to ensure the effectiveness of the education ordinance.

With the population of over 300, 000 people, recent survey by Life Concern's Zombo based NGO showed that 65% of youths in the district cannot read or write, painting a glaring picture of education status in the area.

Francis Bolingo, the district Councillor of Athuma Sub county expressed his satisfaction over the achieved milestone, reminding education ministry to improve on the dire state of infrastructure in most schools across the district, that he said is exacerbating high learner drop-out rate in the district.

In 2024 Primary leaving examinations, the district recorded a decline in performance of learners with only 23 pupils in Division one, 835 in Division two, 950 in Division three, 459 in Division four, 333 were ungraded whilst 25 never sat for the papers.

James Oruna Oyullu, the LCV chairperson Zombo noted that " this Ordinance went through different processes from the district to the ministry of local government up to solicitor general for guidance and it took long to come out, other districts are struggling to get their ordinance but for us due to close follow-up , I manage to pull this document out" 

Oyullu acknowledged the contribution of development partners like Nebbi NGO- Forum and others towards the Ordinance formulation. He also called upon religious, political and cultural leaders to routinely sensitize community about the benefits of the education ordinance.

From left ; Council Speaker Hassan Ringtho, Deputy RDC Grace Atim, LCV chairperson of Zombo James Oruna Oyullu ( yellow tie) , Chief administrative officer witness the signing of Local Government Zombo Education Ordinance 2024 at the district council hall on Wednesday 19 , February , 2025. Photo/ Mike Rwothomio

The education ordinance will become a working document upon gazettemment.

The Deputy RDC of Zombo Grace Atim calls for intensified sensitization , noting " we need to start engaging our community, I think this Ordinance has come timely, what is left now is enforcement, so I pledge total from the office of the president "

Atim also expressed hope that the Ordinance will address chronic teacher absentism in Zombo Schools more especially on market days.

Leaders have expressed optimism that the Ordinance will promote Discipline, ensures Safety of learners, encourages support to academic Success and will encourage a Structured Environment and Collaboration for School Management amongst others.

The Local Government Act, gives legislative powers to local government councils to enact ordinances and byelaws for proper and effective implementation of government’s programmes, national policies and laws.

However, formulation of these ordinances and byelaws has been one of the challenges faced by local government councils due to limited funding and expertise and above all implementation.

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