Rotarians earmark sh70m for renovation of dilapidated Kampala school
Hellen Apia, the club's president, said they intervened after carrying out a needs assessment, during which they learnt that the iron sheets had expired after 37 years, resulting in roof leakage.
The Lord Mayor of Kampala Ronald Balimwezo (left) interacts with the president of Rotary Club of Kampala Hellen Apia (centre) and Rotarian Queen Jenipher Namugela during the fundraising drive to roof Kasanga Primary School at Graceland Hotel in Bunga, Kampala on Saturday, October 10, 2026. (Photos by Francis Emorut)
________________
The Rotary Club of Kansanga has earmarked sh70 million to renovate Kansanga Primary School in Kampala.
Hellen Apia, the club's president, said they intervened after carrying out a needs assessment, during which they learnt that the iron sheets had expired after 37 years, resulting in roof leakage.
"We are going to roof the dilapidated building so as to improve the learning environment of pupils," she said, adding that they also plan to replace the window panes and paint the walls of the school.
Pupils of Kasanga Primary School during the fundraising drive to raise money to roof their classroom block, which has dilapidated iron sheets, at Graceland Hotel in Bunga, Kampala, on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
"We are having the biggest challenge where learners don't have classrooms to sit the final exams and we thank the Rotary Club of Kansanga for their intervention because a journey of 1,000 miles starts with one step," said Robert Ekelly, the school's director of studies.
He made remarks during the fundraising drive held at Graceland Hotel in Bunga on Saturday.
Hailing the initiative, the LC1s leaders of Makindye Division collectively contributed sh1 million.
"Some pupils have decided to abandon learning because they cannot withstand studying in a leaking roof as they are forced to gather in one corner when it rains," said Kizito Ngalomyambe, the LC1 chairperson of Mutesasira Zone.
"This school is a community school which was built by members of the community from each zone and we are part and parcel of it, " he added.
"Our children are suffering because the infrastructure is wanting. I appeal to the Lord Mayor of Kampala, Eng. Ronald Balimwezo, to intervene since the school is under the management of Kampala Capital City Authority," said Gonzaga Yiga, the chairman of Kiwafu Zone LC1.
Pupils of Kasanga Primary School entertaining guests during the fundraising drive
The Rotary Club of Muyenga renovated the school's classroom block for the nursery section, which handles 200 learners who are now studying comfortably, according to Ekelly.
As the chief guest, Balimwezo pledged to mobilise companies that manufacture paint and iron sheets to donate so that the school infrastructure is rehabilitated to provide a conducive environment for learners.
He praised the Rotary Club of Kansanga for the intervention, saying the best family planning method is to keep children in school.
The Lord Mayor appealed to the Government to improve the infrastructure of government-aided schools across the country to enable learners to perform better.
“Education is the greatest asset any government can give to its people,” he said.