Kikuube parents, residents mobilise to improve school structures

KIKUUBE - Parents of Kikuube district-based Ikoba Nursery and Primary Community School are struggling to mobilise funds for the institution's infrastructural development to improve school structure and ensure a good learning environment.

The school in ikoba village, Kabwoya sub-county,  is currently accommodated in dilapidated wooden, mud and wattle structures.

The school, with an enrolment of over 400 pupils, was started in 2000 following a resolution from community members, who cited the challenge of the increasing number of learners failing to access primary school education.

According to the parents, the poor learning environment is affecting the retention of pupils in the school, and as a result, those who drop out get married. This situation has in turn, increased cases of early marriages and teenage pregnancy.

The community started the construction of permanent three-classroom blocks to address the challenge, but due to a lack of funds, the project stalled, and pupils are studying under trees and dilapidated structures. 

Ikoba I village LC1 chairperson Bamwenda Bagirubusa said government-aided schools, such as Kajonga Primary School in Kirafumbi sub-county, Kabira Primary School and Kitole Primary School in Kabwoya sub-county, are located more than 10km away, and children can manage to walk such a distance.

He said since petitioning the Government for intervention has been unfruitful, they decided to mobilise funds to improve the school infrastructure.

A pig was one of the items parents collected to raise money to improve the school infrastructure. (Credit: Peter Abaanabasazi)

In their effort, the parents and residents, led by district councillor Risha Kwikiriza, on July 4, 2025, collected different items, including goats, chicken, a pig and food items and exchanged them for money.

During this fundraising drive, shillings 3.4 million, five bags of cement and trips of sand were collected. The classroom block's construction is currently above the foundation.

“Years ago, we petitioned Kikuube district government to take over the management of our school in vain. So, we could not sit and continue to wait for the Government; we had to mobilise ourselves to get money and build at least three classrooms,” he said.

Andrea Sebunyezi, a parent, said the lack of a government-aided school in their vicinity has denied many children a chance to attain primary education.

One of the area councillors said as leaders, they are pushing the Government to aid the school.

Headteacher Watson Mugisha said the school has over 420 pupils and unqualified teaching staff due to a lack of money to recruit teachers.

According to Mugisha, lessons are always interrupted during rainy seasons.