Dokolo North County MP Joseph Jones Ogwal has backed parents’ efforts to expand accommodation at Bata Secondary School, delivering 95 iron sheets to support the construction of a boys’ dormitory.
Ogwal handed over the iron sheets on Monday, August 10, 2026, fulfilling a pledge he made two months earlier during a visit to families affected by hailstorms in Bata Town Council.
The legislator said the intervention was intended to complement the contribution of parents, who have been financing much of the dormitory construction. He also pledged 30 bags of cement to support plastering works once the building is roofed.
Ogwal said the completed dormitory would help address the school’s accommodation shortage and create space for more students. He commended parents for taking responsibility for improving the school’s infrastructure.
Bata Secondary School headteacher Ogwal Denis said the dormitory was largely being constructed through parents’ efforts and would significantly improve accommodation at the school. He said the institution currently has 822 students from Senior One to Senior Six.
Mr Denis, who has headed the school since 2020, thanked Ogwal for visiting the institution and supporting its development needs, describing the visit as historic because he was the first MP to visit the school during his tenure.
PTA chairperson Adato Charles said the school still needed support to address its porous boundaries, which he said allow students to leave the premises without permission. He said parents and the administration were planning to begin a fencing project and would seek Ogwal’s support.
Ogwal said his support to schools would extend beyond infrastructure. Beginning next year, he said he would provide two pairs of sports uniforms for each student participating in games and sports at Bata Secondary School, Dokolo Girls, Agwata and Iguli Girls secondary schools.
He also launched a performance improvement programme through which he will provide examination papers to O- and A-level candidates to help them assess their understanding and identify areas where they need to improve.
The MP further announced plans for tree-planting programmes in schools to promote climate-smart practices and urged students to embrace science subjects and apply classroom knowledge to practical challenges.
Iguli Girls Secondary School headteacher Apili Anna recalled Ogwal’s support during an athletics competition in Lira City last year, saying he provided transport, meals and other necessities for participating students. S.5 student Akello Sharon thanked the MP for the support and urged fellow students to work harder.
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