MUYENGA, Uganda —Smiles and renewed hope filled Bukasa Primary School in Muyenga on Monday as the Rotary Club of Muyenga Forest Hills donated scholastic materials and sanitary wear to Primary Seven candidates ahead of their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
The KCCA-founded school, located near the shores of Lake Victoria, received books, pens, and sanitary items aimed at boosting academic performance and supporting girls’ retention in school.
Speaking at the handover, the school’s Deputy Welfare, Jesca Kobusingye, said the donation was timely and deeply appreciated.
“I feel happy, I’m glad that we have been chosen,” Kobusingye said. “Since we are at the end of the lake, we believe these scholastic materials are going to help in the academics plus the sanitary ware. Since the year began, this Rotary Club of Muyenga Forest Hills is the first group to come and may God bless them.”
Headteacher Nekemia Kirabiriza Mpindi described the intervention as a blessing for a school that has struggled with shortages.
“I’m grateful to the Rotary Club of Muyenga Forest Hills because we’ve been blessed with a lot of scholastic materials that have been missing,” Kirabiriza said. “Books have been missing, but now the academics are going to be improved. The learners of Primary Seven are the ones that have been given and this will improve even the performance in their Primary Leaving Exam.”
He urged pupils to take the opportunity seriously: “Now get serious with studies, and don’t waste the materials you have received.” He also challenged learners to emulate Rotarians’ values: “When you grow up, always serve above self just like the Rotary Club of Muyenga Forest Hills.”
Action President of Muyenga Forest Hills, Madrine Nakachwa, said the school was selected after the club assessed needs in the community.
“We have chosen Bukasa Primary School because we felt there was need in this school,” Nakachwa explained. “Most of the schools in the area are international, so there was need for this initiative in this school. As Muyenga Forest Hillers, we serve above self, and I pledge to continue doing this.”
She added: “Since education is one of the pillars and objectives of Rotary, we are here to fulfill.”
Club Secretary-Elect, Angel Kamyuka, echoed the sentiment: “We are happy to be here at Bukasa Primary School as Forest Hillers. We look for the needy, so we decided to visit here because we saw there was need in the pupils of P.7 of this school ahead of their Primary Leaving Exams. More is coming since the school still needs a lot.”
Pupils, Rotarians share messages of hope and discipline
For the candidates, the donation was personal.
“We are very grateful for this initiative because the scholastic materials and sanitary ware will help us perform better in our academics,” said Namono Sumaya and Kusasira Gloria Esther, two of the P.7 learners who received the items.
Rotarians used the occasion to counsel pupils on discipline, hygiene, and self-worth.
Rtn. Betty Nakijoba advised learners “to be serious with books, not to engage in any bad habits that may lead them to drop out of school.” She added, “Don’t fall for boys until you finish school.”
Rtn. Sandrina Louise Lutwama spoke directly to both girls and boys about menstrual health and humility. “I encouraged the girls to always be clean, and told the boys not to tease or laugh at girls when they menstruate because menstruation is normal to girls,” she said. “I also advised learners to be humble because you don’t know what will come tomorrow — the world is out there waiting. Never lose hope even if the performance is not so good.”
Individual pledges for school fees, shoes
Beyond the group donation, individual Rotarians made personal pledges. Rtn. Joan Nakafeero of Muyenga Forest Hills committed to pay school fees for P.7 candidate Nasiyo Veron and also bought school shoes for Sylvia Nassali, another candidate.
A call to “serve above self”
The event closed with renewed commitment from the Rotary Club of Muyenga Forest Hills to support vulnerable learners. With PLE months away, the scholastic materials and dignity kits are expected to ease pressure on parents and help candidates focus on revision.
As Headteacher Kirabiriza noted, “The academics are going to be improved.” For Bukasa Primary School, Monday’s donation was more than items in a box — it was a reminder that the community is watching, and willing to help.
