Nestled in the rolling hills of Mbale District, Kilulu B Village is experiencing a remarkable transformation driven not by government projects or major infrastructure developments, but by the power of the sun.
At the heart of this change is Mr. Malenje Simon, the Local Council I Chairperson, and his wife, Grace Kayegi, the director of Good Journey Nursery and Primary School. Together, they are using renewable energy to expand access to quality education for hundreds of children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Founded in 2016, Good Journey Nursery and Primary School has grown into a vital learning center for the community, serving more than 300 pupils, many of whom come from low-income families or have lost one or both parents. However, the school’s progress was repeatedly hampered by unreliable electricity.
Frequent power outages, occurring up to three times a week and sometimes lasting more than six hours, disrupted learning activities and limited the school’s ability to provide a conducive study environment. Evening revision classes and early morning lessons became difficult to sustain, particularly for Primary Seven candidates preparing for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
“The unstable electricity affected not only study schedules but also enrollment,” explained Kayegi. “Learners often had to return home early, reducing their learning time. Our candidates suffered most because they could not adequately prepare for examinations.”
The persistent power challenges also delayed plans to establish a boarding section due to concerns over safety and inadequate lighting.
As the 2025 PLE examinations approached, school administrators recognized the urgent need for a sustainable solution. Traditional alternatives such as candles and kerosene lamps proved costly, hazardous, and environmentally unfriendly.
Determined to find a lasting answer, Malenje invested in solar energy through Sun King, a leading solar energy provider in Uganda. The school acquired the Home Plus Pro solar system at a subsidized cost, enabling classrooms to remain fully lit throughout the night using high-efficiency lighting and long-lasting battery storage.
The installation, completed just weeks before the national examinations, immediately transformed the school’s learning environment. Pupils could now study consistently during evening hours and attend early morning preparation sessions without interruption.
The investment was supported through the Results-Based Financing (RBF) Programme, a partnership involving Equity Bank Uganda, Energizing Development (EnDev) Uganda, and GIZ. The initiative provides incentives to solar suppliers, making quality renewable energy solutions more affordable for schools, households, and small businesses.
By reducing the cost barrier, the programme is accelerating access to clean and reliable energy in underserved communities across Uganda.
The impact at Good Journey Nursery and Primary School has been significant. Within a year, enrollment increased from 250 to 310 pupils. School revenue rose from Shs3.5 million to Shs5 million per term, while extended study hours have improved academic preparation and boosted confidence among learners and teachers alike.
The growing student population has also created employment opportunities, prompting the school to recruit additional teachers to meet increasing demand.
“With stable lighting, our candidates now have more time to concentrate on their studies,” said Malenje. “Better performance attracts more learners, which enables us to hire more teachers and create jobs. As village chairman, I am proud that children who might otherwise be idle now have an opportunity to build a better future.”
Beyond education, the solar project has improved safety, strengthened livelihoods, and renewed community confidence in schooling as a pathway out of poverty.
Encouraged by the success, Malenje plans to expand the solar system to power the entire school, including teachers’ quarters and a future boarding section. He also envisions installing a solar-powered water pumping system to provide clean water to both the school and surrounding communities.
If realized, these developments would transform Good Journey Nursery and Primary School into a fully equipped educational hub serving Kilulu B and neighboring villages.
The experience of Good Journey demonstrates how renewable energy can unlock development where conventional infrastructure falls short. What began as an effort to keep classroom lights on has evolved into a catalyst for improved educational outcomes, job creation, and community development.
In Kilulu B, solar panels are doing more than generating electricity. They are generating hope, opportunity, and a brighter future for the next generation.
As darkness falls over the Mbale hills each evening, the lights shining from Good Journey’s classrooms stand as a powerful symbol of what is possible when innovation meets determination.
