Over 30 Kasangati housewives skilled, equipped with start-up kits worth sh10m

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A total of 33 housewives in Wakiso District's Kasangati town council have benefited from a year-long skilling initiative that equipped each of them with a sewing machine, collectively valued at sh10 million.

The community intervention was designed to financially empower women in Kasangati, many of whom are single mothers, financially neglected, or abandoned by their spouses.

According to Dr Mary Kansiime Nyende, co-director of Mt Seeta Junior School, Kasangati, the initiative was introduced after the school observed that many mothers were struggling to pay their children's tuition.

“Many women in our community were unable to meet school fees obligations regardless of the academic season, so as a school, we chose an approach that responds to the root cause of the challenge,” she said.

(Courtesy)

Kansiime made the remarks on November 23, 2025, during the school’s end-of-year celebrations, which doubled as a sports gala and skilling exhibition.

The highlight of the event was a dual graduation ceremony where 27 women received brand-new manual sewing machines worth shillings 300,000 each.

One of the beneficiaries, Annet Semujju Kanyunyuzi (40), a mother of five, said: I was at home spending days idly without anything constructive. These studies are going to boost our lives and make us productive women.

Kanyunyuzi, who served as class monitor, said participants did not pay tuition.

“We only paid registration fees not exceeding shillings 50,000. These skills will impact our families and the community,” she added.

Another recipient, Deborah Namagambe (43) from Magere, said she has been struggling with school fees for her four children—one in university and the youngest in nursery. Holding her Singer sewing machine and certificate, she shared her dream of starting a tailoring and uniform supply business.

The ceremony also celebrated a second cohort of over 30 pupils aged five to six years promoted from kindergarten to primary level.

Speaking at the event, school director David Tamale said the initiative is part of the school’s long-term sustainability plan driven by community empowerment.

“This programme was created as an intervention after many years of encountering school fee defaulters. Instead of punishment, we built a solution that empowers families,” he said.

Tamale revealed that the women are expected to become economic partners with the school by supplying uniforms, sports kits, liquid soap, food and other materials.

He noted that six women who completed earlier training have already set up small tailoring shops near the school.

“They now earn shillings 10,000, 5,000, 3,000 or even 20,000 daily, much better than before when they had no skills,” Tamale added.

More self-reliant

During the same function, the Uganda Police was represented by Community Liaison Officer Alex Mutebi, attached to Kasangati Police Division, who commended the initiative.

“These skills will make women more self-reliant, reduce dependency burdens and boost the local economy. More income means parents can now afford school fees,” he noted.

The chief guest, Racheal Kobugabe, a financial inclusion expert with experience in Kenya, DR Congo, Somalia and Nigeria, applauded the school’s model and encouraged the women to form a savings and credit cooperative.

She donated sh1,000,000 as seed capital and reminded them:

“When the woman works and the man works, the family experiences a boost of development.”

Meanwhile, the day’s sports competitions added excitement to the celebration. Red House emerged champion with 50 points, followed by Green House with 43 points and Blue House with 40.

Parents also joined the fun, where fathers defeated male teachers in a tug-of-war, while mothers triumphed over female teachers in the same event.

Medals and trophies were awarded to winners in activities including dress-up balloon, kick-the-can, bottle-filling, hula-hoop and the crowd-favourite, spot-your-child, which drew loud cheers from parents.