The Bishop of Masaka Catholic Diocese Right Reverend Serverus Jjumba, has issued a decree directing compulsory feeding programs for all learners in Church-founded schools in the area.
He says his administration will not tolerate parents who fail to provide food for their children while at school. He announced the directive at Our Lady of Nazareth Parish in Kyebe sub county, Kyotera district while paying homage to the birthplace of St John Mary Mzee, one of three Catholic Uganda Martyrs that hails from Masaka diocese.
Bishop Jjumba noted that enforcing compulsory feeding programs for Church founded schools in the area, is intended to address the problem of starvation of students while at school hence compromising the quality of learning due to lack of concentration.
He has directed the diocesan Education Secretariat, the schools’ Chaplains, and Church leadership structures to monitor compliance with the directive in all Church-founded primary and secondary schools in the area, threatening he may invoke his authority to punish anybody that defies him.
Besides food, Bishop Jjumba has also challenged parents to support students with the required scholastic materials other than leaving the responsibilities to the government.