Lukwago calls for protection of school land at DEAR week farewell

The city and outgoing Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has advised his successors to prioritise the protection of school land in the city.

During the Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) week launch at Kitante Primary School on March 17, 2026, he said some schools in Kampala are facing challenges of land grabbing.

About D.E.A.R. Day

The D.E.A.R. Day, or Drop Everything and Read Day, is celebrated annually on April 12 in honour of Beverly Cleary, the author of the "Ramona" series.

This day encourages everyone to dedicate time to reading, promoting the joy of books and literature. Schools, libraries and families often participate in activities to make reading a priority, with many individuals also encouraged to read at home or with friends.

Land concerns raised

Lukwago, who bid farewell to the learners, school management and the management committee, said some schools, such as Kitante and Buganda Road, have had their land encroached upon.

He warned that other schools likely to be affected include Nakivubo Settlement, Nakivubo Blue and BAT Valley.

He advised that schools like Kitante, which have large tracts of land, should be fenced off to protect them from encroachers. “This is what I am asking of people who are going to stay at City Hall: please protect the school land,” he noted.

Kitante is one of the city schools with the highest number of pupils, with 421 candidates expected to sit their Primary Leaving Examination.

Lukwago later read an inspirational book entitled The King of Scotland for the learners.

School challenges

Nasur Rwamagana, a member of the school management committee, outlined some of the achievements of the school and appreciated Lukwago for spearheading the protection of the school land.

He said, “The school has come from far and now has grown. We have constructed staff quarters, school library and houses; however, we are still facing challenges like the school playground, which floods whenever it rains,” he said.

The number of pupils compared to capacity is still small, and the school needs a library that can also be used by the public.

The school does not have a perimeter wall, which creates insecurity.

The number of pupils is also high, with a ratio of 180, which is a big challenge and calls for an additional classroom block.

Performance and facilities

The head teacher, Jane Kyakuwa, said the school has over 3,000 pupils, adding that they have limited space to accommodate learners.

She revealed that last year, 383 pupils sat their Primary Leaving Examinations, with 56 passing in first grade and 300 in second grade.

Kyakuwa appreciated Kampala Capital City Authority for initiating and supporting DEAR week, noting that this year’s theme is creating hope for reading.

She said the school library is well stocked, but each class is allocated a specific week due to the large population, as not all learners can be accommodated at once.