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The United Nations (UN) regional service centre based in Entebbe Municipality has donated 100 laptops to Entebbe Police Station, the Aviation Police and several schools in Wakiso district.

The donation which includes a high-tech printing machine was also donated to the Aviation Police Station to assist in its operations at Entebbe International Airport. The equipment was received by SSP Kenneth Muheirwe, the Entebbe Division Police Commander and SP Adam Kitatta, the Aviation Police Commander, each receiving five (5) laptops, while each of the nine (9) schools received 10 laptops.

Schools that benefited included Airforce Secondary School, Entebbe Comprehensive Secondary School, Kings College Buddo, Entebbe Secondary School and Entebbe Parents Secondary School.

Adam Kitatta (2nd right) the comandant of Aviation Police and his twice, receiving a box of laptops from Paulin Djomo, the director of UN Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, as his deputy Contreras Nalini looks on. Photo by Julius Luwemba

Others include Mende Senior Secondary School, Victorian High School and Mary Reparatrix Secondary School, among others, all in Wakiso district.

While handing over the IT equipment on Tuesday afternoon, Nalini Contreras, the deputy director for the UN Regional Service Centre explained that the gesture of corporate social responsibility aims at investing in the knowledge, safety and the future of the community.

"By supporting education, we sow the seeds of progress because technology is a beacon guiding towards innovation and effective decision making," she noted.

Nalini highlighted the relevance of computers saying, they are the tools for transformation, bridging gaps and unlocking possibilities.

She also lauded the Entebbe police boss Muheirwe and the aviation commandant Kitatta for keeping the community safe.

"By providing computers to law enforcement agencies, we are placing safety in their hands, which translates into safety for us all," she remarked.

The computers donated to the police will assist in analysing crime statistics, criminal identification and other data-driven decisions, with optimism that the police force will become more efficient and vigilant.

On the part of learners, Nalini expressed hope that the donated computers will enhance literacy, collaboration and digital skills which she said, is a tri-factor that prepares learners for a dynamic future workforce. "We are not just donating computers. We are investing in hope, resilience and progress," she stated.

John Kazibwe, the headteacher for Kings College Buddo, lauded the noble donation saying, that the biggest challenge among learners in Uganda, is not being able to access the right resources at the right time which other people on the globe are accessing.

"Giving our learners laptops will bridge the global divide between the knowledgeable and those who lack knowledge," he expressed.

Ten schools in Wakiso district and Entebbe Police received a donation of 100 computers and one printer from the UN regional service centre at the base in Entebbe municipality on Tuesday. Photo by Julius Luwemba

Meanwhile, Nafi Musiitwa, the headmaster of Mende Senior Secondary School said donation brings to a total of 17 computers to serve over 1,200 students at the institution. 

Paulin Djomo, the director of the UN Regional Service Centre, explained that it was not possible to live within the community without the support of such a community.

"We want to show that we have a small contribution to the society in which we live," he stated. 

The regional service centre is part of the UN Secretariat and also part of the Department of Operational Support, which coordinates several UN agencies operating in Africa.

"We have consolidated administrative functions for many of the Missions on the African continent. That is why we are not so much within the communities as other UN agencies," Djomo further explained, justifying why they deemed it right to engage in corporate social responsibility.

"When you keep a good neighbourhood, you live in peace," he asserted.