Pupils and teachers at St. Charles Lwanga Namabaale Primary School in Lwengo District found reason to celebrate as they welcomed new educational facilities with a total value of Shs9 billion. The school, which had been struggling with inadequately built structures that couldn’t accommodate all its learners, now boasts an array of modern buildings and amenities, courtesy of the Australian-based non-profit organization, Cotton On Foundation.
The new facilities, officially unveiled on October 20, 2023, include over 10 classroom blocks, staff quarters, multipurpose halls for dining and kitchen services, a playground, and office blocks. To ensure accessibility to safe and clean water, each of these new structures is equipped with four large rhino water tanks, each with a capacity of 275,000 litres.
The Honorable Janet Museveni, Minister of Education, who was represented by Lands Minister Ms. Judith Nabakooba, commended the Cotton On Foundation for their unwavering commitment to improving the lives of the younger generation. She highlighted the positive impact these facilities will have on both pre-primary and primary education, offering a conducive environment for teaching and learning. Ms. Museveni also donated Shs50 million to the school, acknowledging that despite the government’s support to over 12,000 schools across the country, the number remains insufficient to comfortably accommodate all learners.
The First Lady expressed her gratitude to Bishop Serverus Jjumba of Masaka Diocese for generously providing the land on which the new facilities now stand. She emphasized the value of the partnership between the government and the Catholic Church, praising their contributions to education and social services. Bishop Jjumba reciprocated the appreciation and noted the importance of the government’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Cotton On Foundation in expediting the project’s success.
Ms. Claire Najjemba, the Country Manager of the Cotton On Foundation, conveyed the organization’s passion for supporting children throughout their educational journey, from kindergarten to university. She encouraged the school community to make the most of the new structures, ensuring that children receive the quality education they deserve.
The newly unveiled facilities are organized into a three-campus model, with the Lower Campus serving kindergarten students, the Middle Campus accommodating Primary One to Primary Four, and the Upper Campus catering to Primary Five to Primary Seven. These improvements mark a significant step forward for St. Charles Lwanga Namabaale Primary School, bringing hope and opportunities to its pupils and teachers.
