By Chris Woo
Oyam Grade One Magistrate Shara Namwanje has sworn in the new board members of Acaba Technical School. The newly sworn-in members include Rev. Fr. John Baptist Aligi as Chairperson, Eng. George Okite Okeng, Hon Conny Atoo Ogwang, Opio Ronaldo, Patrick Okello Auma, Geoffrey Oryem, and other board members.
Magistrate Namwanje congratulated the new board, emphasizing that the oath they took is a crucial commitment to serving the school diligently. She reminded them that their appointments are a divine call to serve with transparency and accountability. “As long as the technical teams are not transparent to the board, they will have challenges,” she said. “The headteacher should cooperate with the board members, and board members should also be content with their allowances.”
Outgoing chairperson Sam Otoo highlighted the major challenges the school faced, including the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts over ownership of the foundation body. He urged the new board not to repeat past mistakes and requested the incoming chairperson, Rev. Fr. John Baptist Aligi, to pray for the school.
Rev. Fr. John Baptist Aligi welcomed the new board members, reminding them that they are appointed for service, not personal benefits. “We are called for service, not for benefits,” he said. “If we think of benefits, we shall lose the trend, so let it be a true sacrifice.”
Rev. Fr. Moses Pascal Omara, representing the Lira Diocese Education Commissioner, noted that the school has been operational without a functional board of governors for five years due to conflicts over the foundation body. He emphasized the need for strengthened inspections and monitoring of schools, calling on those who were fighting over the foundation body to come together for development.
Celestino Akar, the Principal of Acaba Technical School, welcomed the new board members, pledging to exercise transparency and accountability. “I have welcomed the new board wholeheartedly because it is full of knowledgeable individuals,” he said. “If we work together, Acaba will develop.”
