Over the past year, 839 children aged between 3 and 15, who had previously been living and begging on the streets of Kampala, were returned to Karamoja and enrolled in Lokodiokodio, Loodoi, and Lotome Girls Primary Schools.
Primary schools in Napak District, hosting former street children repatriated from Kampala, are grappling with high malaria infection rates due to inadequate mosquito nets and poor usage among the children.
Over the past year, 839 children aged between 3 and 15, who had previously been living and begging on the streets of Kampala, were returned to Karamoja and enrolled in Lokodiokodio, Loodoi, and Lotome Girls Primary Schools.
The children are under a one-year rehabilitation and education programme that prohibits them from returning home or making contact with their parents during the period. However, school administrators have raised concerns over frequent malaria outbreaks among the learners, compounded by the absence of essential medical support and resources.
Naume Lokidor, Head teacher at Lotome Girls Primary School, said they are struggling to control the rate of infections because they lack both mosquito nets and medical staff on-site. “We are experiencing rains and the children are lacking treated mosquito nets to protect them against malaria,” she said, adding that at least 10 pupils test positive for malaria daily.
Lokidor further explained that the school also lacks a nurse to handle medical emergencies, especially at night, forcing staff to rush children to nearby health facilities under difficult conditions. She appealed to the local government and development partners to help deploy a full-time school nurse to ease the burden.
She added that while other illnesses like Candida had previously affected the children, malaria remains the greatest health challenge, disrupting their education. Despite the difficulties, Lokidor noted that the children have adapted well to school life and have shown enthusiasm for learning.
She emphasized that none of the pupils had attempted to escape, and those who were allowed to visit home during holidays returned without incident. Support from various partners, she said, has also boosted morale and made school life more appealing to the children.
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At Loodoi Primary School, the situation is equally challenging, particularly for the youngest children aged 3 to 6, who have been placed in Primary One due to the absence of a nursery section. Betty Omara Awor, the Head teacher of Loodoi Primary School, said the school lacks caregivers to support the young learners, who require extra attention.
While one classroom has been spared for them, there is still a pressing need for a dedicated caregiver or teacher to attend to their unique needs. Although UNICEF provided mosquito nets to the school, Awor noted that many children are unable to use them properly because they sleep on the floor without beds, leaving them nowhere to tie the nets.
To combat the mosquito menace, the school has resorted to regular clearing of surrounding bushes to reduce breeding grounds. Awor also reported that some children had previously suffered health complications due to poor nutrition, but a recent intervention by Windle International Uganda, which provided food supplements, had helped many recover.
Despite the health and logistical challenges, she praised the children’s performance in both academics and sports. Awor revealed that eight of the returnee pupils have excelled in athletics and recently competed at the national level in primary school sports competitions.
