The Serere county legislator-hopeful on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag, Mr.Philip Oucor has promised to introduce a feeding program for pupils in all government primary schools, if he is elected as their Member of Parliament.
He revealed today while on his second day of campaigns in Orupe, Oburiekori, and Central wards that make up Acaapa Town council.
Oucor said, “Poor performance of learners in the Primary Leaving Examinations is majorly attributed to pupils spending many hours in classes on empty stomachs. As a result, children lose concentration on what the teachers are teaching and end up failing.”
He said that he has engaged District Education Officers and other stakeholders to ensure that children get an opportunity to feed while at school.
“This initiative will begin with primary seven pupils and thereafter, the program shall be enrolled in all classes as we lobby for more resources,” the NRM candidate said.
This feeding proposal is highlighted in the NRM manifesto for 2021 to 2026.
The recent report by National Planning Authority indicates that seven children in every 10 school-going learners do not get a meal at school.
After feeding children, Oucor said, his focus will shift to initiatives that are aimed at empowering youth and women to engage in wealth creation through skilling.
“In addition to formal training in schools, I will ensure that young people and women acquire skills to engage in incoming generating activities like small-scale manufacturing, tailoring, and carpentry, among others to fight poverty,” Oucor said.
He also underscored the idea of embracing new methods of agriculture to beat hunger caused by prolonged droughts in recent years.
“The climate has changed and so, relying only on the rains for agriculture is not possible. I pledge to work with the NRM government to dig dams where people can source water for irrigation.”
Oucor also committed himself to work on more five pressing challenges of his community. “The bad state of some access roads, lack of electricity in some villages, and poor infrastructure in rural schools will be top of my agenda if elected to serve you for the remaining time in parliament.”
“I am the only candidate with a correct diagnosis of the issues affecting the people of Serere County. This is my home. I clearly understand our problems,” Oucor said.
The NRM Senior Manager for Mobilization, Mr.Samuel Eyenga asked all party members to support Oucor who has a direct link to President Museveni and the government.
“What people want is services and empowerment. All these will easily get to them through Philip Oucor,” Eyenga said while addressing voters at different rallies.