Clare N
Virika School of Health Sciences, formerly Virika School of Nursing and Midwifery, has broken ground on a new campus in Katentebere, Fort Portal Central Division, marking a major step in its expansion plans.
The ceremony was yesterday evening led by Bishop Robert Kasaija Muhiirwa Akiiki of Fort Portal Diocese.
Expansion rather than relocation
Speaking at the event, the school’s Principal, Sr. Agnes Nansamba, said the expansion was necessary because the current site on Virika Hill is too small and limits several activities. She noted that the new, more spacious location will house additional classrooms, a dining hall, a playground, and hostels.
According to Sr. Nansamba, the school had been saving toward the project for some time before securing enough funds to begin construction. She commended the Bishop for leading the ceremony and clarified that the expansion does not mean relocating the new site will serve as an annex to the current campus.
The contractor, Denka Building Company Ltd, was announced as the winning bidder for the project. Managing Director Moses Kwesiga said construction, valued at approximately 7.5 billion shillings, is set to begin soon, with a pledge to deliver quality work on schedule.
Carol Oshaba, Centenary Bank’s Fort Portal Branch Manager and a development partner on the project, commended the Bishop for the ground-breaking and praised Sr. Nansamba’s initiative, saying it will leave a lasting legacy.
She explained that the bank chose to partner with the school because of its capacity to deliver, and wished the project success.
Adolf Kamara, a resident Fort Portal City, expressed confidence that the project will spur further development in Katentebere, pointing to recent road improvements in the area as an example. He urged residents to embrace the development and take advantage of the job opportunities it will create.
Bishop Muhiirwa, who led the blessing of the site before the ground-breaking, commended the school for the initiative, saying the expansion will benefit both the institution and the surrounding community. He urged the contractors to avoid shoddy work and ensure durability in construction.