Mastercard scholars launch sh60m drive to transform Amuru school
The funds will finance a twin-classroom block estimated at sh45 million, 60 desks at sh6 million, a staff latrine at sh5 million and a 10,000-litre water tank estimated at sh2.5 million.
Some of the young Mastercard scholars who attended the project launch function. (Photos by Hellen Tusiime)
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Mastercard Foundation scholars at Makerere University have launched a sh60 million fundraising drive to construct classrooms and improve sanitation and access to water at Eastern Gate Nursery and Primary School in Amuru district as part of their latest give-back project.
The project was officially launched on September 5, 2026, during the Makerere University Community Open Day held at the university's Freedom Square.
The function was organised by the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University in partnership with DFCU Bank and other partners, including FINCA Bank, Tamani Solutions and Katumba Estates.
Held under the theme, “Together for Impact: Celebrating Innovations and Giveback,” the event brought together scholars, alumni, university officials, partners and members of the public to celebrate community initiatives and mobilise support for the scholars' Annual Day of Service.
Of the targeted sh60 million, sh28 million will be raised by undergraduate and graduate scholars and the Scholars Executive Committee, while partners, university leadership and alumni are expected to mobilise the remaining sh32 million.
The funds will finance a twin-classroom block estimated at sh45 million, 60 desks at sh6 million, a staff latrine at sh5 million and a 10,000-litre water tank estimated at sh2.5 million.
The Mastercard Scholars, led by the chairperson Give Back Committee Alex Muhangi, deliver remarks about their latest Give Back project
The school is located in Pacilo parish, Atiak subcounty, Amuru district, about 8- 10 km from the South Sudan border. It was established in 2023 as a community initiative and has not received external funding.
It currently has about 164 learners from nursery to Primary Seven and 10 teachers, including children from host and refugee communities.
Speaking during the function, scholar Alex Muhangi, chairperson of the Give Back Committee, accompanied by his colleagues, said a viability assessment they carried out found that the school had inadequate classrooms, about 25 benches, incomplete structures, poor sanitation and no reliable source of water.
“The school has serious infrastructure challenges, sanitation and water challenges,” Muhangi said.
The nearest borehole is about 30 minutes away, forcing pupils and community members to walk long distances to access water.
Construction is expected to begin after sufficient funds have been mobilised, with completion and handover targeted for late November or early December.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa, programme director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, who represented the deputy vice chancellor as the guest of honour, said giving back had been deliberately incorporated into the programme from the time scholars are recruited and oriented.
“You do not actually need to have bigger sponsors out there for you to build something that is lasting in the community,” Namaalwa said.
She said projects are identified by scholars who assess challenges in their communities before submitting proposals for consideration.
A committee reviews the proposals, after which shortlisted projects undergo field assessments to establish their needs and feasibility.
“Each person contributes what they can contribute,” she said.
She said the success of the programme should not be measured only by the academic qualifications of its beneficiaries, but also by the change they create in their communities.
“The true measure isn't degrees earned. It is the impact brought in the community.”
Maria Mugerwa, head of finance and Mastercard Foundation head office representative at Makerere University, urged scholars to embrace giving back regardless of the resources available to them.
She said community service could involve money, skills, time, mentorship and other forms of support.
“What can I do with what I have, where I am, to make a difference?” Mugerwa asked.
She gave an example of scholars who noticed that some girls in eastern Uganda were missing school because they could not afford sanitary pads. The idea later won the Resolution Social Venture Challenge and attracted additional support.
“Transformative leadership is about what becomes possible for the other people because of the action one takes,” she said.
Jolly Okumu, programme manager of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University, said giving back was an important part of the scholars' leadership journey.
She said the programme had been running at Makerere University for many years and had supported a large number of young people through higher education and leadership development.
“The programme combines academic support with leadership, service and community engagement."
Prof. Francis Wangi, a Rotarian and Mastercard Foundation scholar, who was the keynote speaker, encouraged young scholars to use their education, skills, networks and resources to solve community challenges.
“Giving back doesn’t always require money, but rather volunteering and community projects,” Wangi said.
He added that students should measure their education by the impact they create in communities, rather than only the degrees they earn.
“Education without community purpose is incomplete,” Wangi added.
Previous projects
The scholars showcased previous Give Back projects to demonstrate the impact of their contributions.
At Bwera Primary School in Kabale, scholars responded to challenges that included inadequate classrooms, poor sanitation and limited access to safe water.
Partners, including DFCU Bank, supported the initiative, with the Jane Goodall Institute providing a 10,000-litre water tank. It was officially handed over on April 1, 2026, by DFCU Bank.
The school is located in a remote, hard-to-reach hillside area with no road access.
The scholars said enrolment at the school increased from about 150 pupils to 275 following improvements to the learning environment.
Another previous project involved the installation of a borehole that has remained functional about five years after it was established.
It was constructed in Bulimwaki village in Iganga district, eastern Uganda, and handed over to the community on December 18, 2021. It provided water to over 5,000 community members, reducing the distances women and children had to walk to access water.
Prof. Justine Namaalwa, who was involved in the project, attributed its sustainability to proper technical work and community ownership.
“It is that ownership that keeps these projects standing,” she said.
The scholars said involving communities in planning and implementation helped ensure that projects responded to their actual needs and could be sustained after completion.
They also highlighted challenges faced during previous projects, including limited finances, high transport costs and difficulties balancing community activities with university lectures, coursework and examinations.
The Iganga borehole project was implemented during the second COVID-19 lockdown, making travel between Makerere University in Kampala and the project community difficult.
Despite the challenges, the scholars said their experiences showed that small individual contributions can create lasting change when combined.
“Just sh20,000 in my pocket can change someone's life,” Namaalwa said
Giving beyond money
Speakers, including Maria Mugerwa and Prof. Francis Wangi, among others at the open day, stressed that giving back goes beyond financial contributions.
Scholars were encouraged to use their skills, knowledge, time, networks and talents to support communities.
The event also featured networking, entertainment, medical check-ups, including free eye check-ups offered by Khabusi Eye Care, and blood donation. DFCU Bank also offered free account opening.
The fundraising drive forms part of preparations for the scholars' Annual Day of Service, through which they seek to translate their education and leadership training into practical community impact.
Background
The Mastercard Foundation began its programmes in 2008 and has since supported initiatives in education, skills development and youth development. In 2019, it launched its Young Africa Works strategy in Uganda, with a goal of enabling 4.3 million young people aged 18-35 to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. Its offices are located in Kololo, Kampala, Uganda.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at Makerere University has been running for 13 years, with community engagement and giving back forming part of its leadership development activities.