Luuka district in Uganda is set to experience a transformative change in its educational landscape with the construction of a state-of-the-art Early Childhood Development (ECD) center. This initiative, driven by the Rotary Club of Kyadondo, is designed to enhance the quality of education in Luuka.
The project’s groundbreaking ceremony saw the collaborative efforts of various key figures, including Victoria Nyamahunge, President of the Rotary Club of Kyadondo, Luuka North MP, Hon. Luke Kyobe Inhensiko, Chief of Luuka, George Inhensiko, and Prof. Waiswa Peter from Makerere University. This collective endeavor underlines the commitment to providing the best educational opportunities for the children of Luuka.
The Early Childhood Development Center, situated at Naigobya Primary School in Bukooma Sub County, Luuka district, represents an investment of 550 million Ugandan shillings. The facility aims to cater to children between the ages of 3 and 6. Victoria Nyamahunge, the President of the Rotary Club of Kyadondo, emphasized the vital role that education plays in shaping a child’s future.
“Education is the greatest wealth you can provide to your child. We urge parents to make sacrifices and invest in their children’s education.”
She raised concerns about the rising incidence of early marriages in Luuka and implored parents and community leaders to provide guidance and support to their children, encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Nyamahunge extended gratitude to the Naigobya community and appealed to them to support this educational project in Luuka.
Eng. George Inhensiko, a prominent figure in Luuka, detailed the plans for the ECD center, which will encompass three main blocks.
The first block will house two classrooms for Baby and Middle class students, along with essential facilities. The second block will provide upper-class learning spaces, resting areas, and toilets for both boys and girls. Lastly, the third block will accommodate the offices of the ECD principal and librarian, surrounded by a protective fence.
Eng. George Inhensiko further articulated a broader vision for the center, highlighting its potential to serve as more than just an ECD facility. “We hope that the library will not only cater to the Early Childhood Development center but also serve as a place for the community to learn. Books will be provided to educate them on farming, financial literacy, and other valuable skills.”
The project’s positive impact is not lost on the Catholic Diocese of Jinja Education Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Father Kizito Kisambira. He expressed his excitement and gratitude, hailing the initiative as a new dawn for Luuka’s education. “I am really excited. I want to thank you for your generosity and benevolence in thinking about the people of Luuka.”
Rev. Fr. Father Kizito also revealed the Catholic Diocese’s plans to establish a parish in Naigobya village, further highlighting the area’s growing significance in education.
During the event, concerns were raised about the treatment of headmasters who have mobilized parents to support their children’s education. Naigobya Primary School headmaster, Kirunda Moses Kalulu, recounted his experience of being summoned to the police station for organizing meals for his students.
“Feeding children is a concern, and we mobilized our parents to bring maize for the term. Some children are eating their needed meals. However, some stubborn parents believe that everything should be done by the government. They have not yet realized that it’s their role to provide maize for their children’s meals.”
Naigobya LC I chairman, Kituute Robert, condemned the act of involving the police in matters related to students’ meals, as it negatively affects education in Luuka. Mandwa Charles, the chairman of Naigobya School Management Committee, emphasized the importance of pupils having meals at school to aid their learning. He considered the summoning of headmasters as unfair and discouraging for educational progress.
Luuka district District Police Commander, SP Mugira Kato, pledged to investigate the issue and determine the reasons behind summoning the headmaster. “I will dig deeper to establish why the headmaster was summoned to the police, and whether he recorded a statement or was detained and charged.”
Kato also extended gratitude to the Rotary Club of Kyadondo for their contributions to Luuka’s development and urged parents to prioritize their children’s education.
Luuka North MP, Hon. Luke Kyobe Inhensiko, who is also a member of the Rotary Club of Kyadondo, emphasized the significance of education in Luuka’s development. He called on parents not to be selfish and urged them to provide the necessary resources for
