Leaders of Pakwach district have no choice but to rent boats to transport Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) candidates in areas cut off by flooding from Nile River tributaries; Kamia and Kuncwinya.

Owere Primary School in Pakwach Municipality and surrounding communities were recently isolated by rising water levels in the Nile River.
According to local authorities, at least eight villages are isolated and residents cannot access health centres, schools and markets, causing fear and anxiety among some leaders ahead of the PLE which begins tomorrow (November 4).

The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the district, Mr Moses Dalili, told this publication that the leaders had agreed in an emergency meeting held with the leaders of the Pakwach Municipal Council to acquire four boats which will cost the council more than 2 million shillings in case of emergency.

“The emergency response was done to cushion the cost of crossing overflowing rivers. Pupils pay Sh1,000 which is a burden for most parents and during this examination period, some parents will help select the candidates,” Mr Dalili said.

He said they had notified the Prime Minister’s Office about the three submerged schools in Owere.
The Principal of Owe Primary School, Mr Christopher Ojok, said they registered 56 candidates. It was expected to register more than 60, but the floods scared some students who ended up abandoning their studies.
“Although parents have been paying Sh1,000 per semester to facilitate the rowers, the payments were not punctual and this time, an agreement was reached with UNEB and other stakeholders in the district to ensure that all candidates were transported freely to school for their PLE,” Mr. Ojok said.