Uganda's Kabuye among six Rotary honorees for transforming access to education

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Ugandan Derrick Kabuye has been honoured by Rotary for his work in improving access to quality education and support services for students in rural Uganda.

He is one of the six Rotary members and programme participants aged 30 and under recognised as a Rotary People of Action: ‘Champions of Tomorrow’.

A statement by Rotary on Wednesday (April 1) said the member of the Rotaract Club of Kampala South has, since 2019, been the driving force behind the 'Educate a Community' project.

The long-term initiative led by the Rotaract Club of Kampala South is aimed at transforming Nyakijumba Primary School in Uganda's southwestern district of Kabale into a resilient rural education model.

For seven years now, Kabuye has worked with Rotary and Rotaract partners to ensure the project's growth and lasting impact.

"The project has addressed major barriers to learning by improving infrastructure, clean water access, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene support, while also strengthening early childhood education and community engagement," said Rotary.

Thanks to the efforts by Kabuye and co, the Nyakijumba Primary School enrollment has increased from 60 pupils in 2016 to more than 250, and the Early Childhood Development section now supports 121 learners, most demonstrating measurable progress in literacy and numeracy. 

More than 500 children have also received menstrual hygiene education and support, contributing to improved attendance and retention, particularly among girls.

“Education can change the trajectory of a child’s life – and that of their entire family,” said Kabuye. 

“We wanted to create a place where children can learn, grow, and feel supported. Today, seeing more students in class, especially girls, shows how far the school has come and what is possible when communities come together.”

For more than 120 years, Rotary has addressed the needs of communities across the globe. To recognise these efforts, the organisation honours six sustainable and scalable initiatives annually through the People of Action Honours programme. 

Alongside Kabuye’s work, this year’s recognised initiatives include expanding education access in India, engaging youth in conflict resolution in the Philippines, building communication skills among deaf and hearing youth in Colombia, raising mental health awareness in the United States, and providing first aid training for young people in Italy.

“Improving society begins at the local level by addressing the issues communities face,” said Francesco Arezzo, Rotary International President.

“By leading projects that provide educational resources to those in need, foster personal development, support mental health, and champion conflict resolution, these honorees are creating more peaceful and resilient communities today, and unlocking their own potential to become the next generation of service-minded leaders.”

Rotary members throughout the world develop and implement sustainable, community-driven projects that fight disease, promote peace, provide clean water, support education, help mothers and children, grow local economies and protect the environment. 

Over the last 100 years, $5.5 billion (sh20.48 trillion) has been awarded through The Rotary Foundation – Rotary’s charitable arm that helps clubs work together to perform meaningful, impactful service.