The construction of St. Peter’s Seed Secondary School-Aliba in Arua District, funded under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) program, remains incomplete as the district struggles to clear outstanding payments to the contractor, Desert Breeze Hotels Ltd.
The UGX 3.2 billion project was launched to improve secondary education access in Aliba Sub-county, but work has slowed significantly. According to Arua District Local Government officials, the delay stems from the UGX 681.1 million still pending, which the district is yet to receive from the Ministry of Finance.
Desert Breeze Hotels Ltd, which won the contract to construct classrooms, administration blocks, staff housing, and other key facilities, has reportedly completed a substantial portion of the work.
However, due to financial constraints resulting from non-payment, progress has stalled, affecting both students and teachers who were expected to benefit from the school’s new infrastructure.
District officials have assured stakeholders that the funds will be released soon, though no exact date has been given. Meanwhile, local leaders and community members have expressed frustration over the delays, fearing the project could turn into yet another abandoned government initiative.
With secondary school access still a challenge in parts of West Nile, the completion of St. Peter’s Seed SS-Aliba is critical for the region. As Arua District awaits the UGX 681.1 million, all eyes are on the Ministry of Finance to expedite the process and ensure the school is operational as planned.
