A total of UGX 396 million, including cash and pledges was raised during a corporate fundraising dinner hosted by State Minister for Finance, Hon. Henry Musasizi, at Serena Hotel Kampala on December 13, 2024. The funds will go towards establishing an ICT/E-Learning Centre at St. Agatha Girls’ Secondary School Kakore in Rubanda District.
The event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including the Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, who officiated the event, and other key figures such as State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. David Bahati, Minister of State for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi, Rukiga County MP Hon. Roland Ndyomugyenyi Bish, Ndorwa County East MP Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, and Uganda Revenue Authority Commissioner-General John Musinguzi Rujoki.
Other notable attendees included Col. Emmy Katabazi, the Deputy Director General for ISO, ICOB Apex Board Members Lillian Kamusime and Evelyne Ninsiima Kikafunda, and representatives from entities like Bank of Uganda, Housing Finance Bank, Post Bank, and The Madhvani Group of Companies among many others.
In his remarks, Hon. Henry Musasizi emphasized the transformative potential of the ICT Centre for both the school and the community. “This project will contribute to socio-economic transformation by equipping students and the community with vital digital skills,” he said, pledging his direct supervision to ensure its success. He also expressed gratitude to the attendees and ICOB Apex for their dedication to the project.
State Minister David Bahati hailed the initiative as a crucial step in empowering the girl child through education. “Efforts to support women and girls, particularly in rural areas, are invaluable,” he noted, contributing UGX 10 million to the cause.
Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala highlighted the challenges faced by girls in rural areas, including school dropouts, early marriages, and pregnancies. “Education is the only way to safeguard these young girls,” he urged, calling on more stakeholders to support the initiative.
Evelyne Ninsiima Kikafunda, an ICOB Apex Board Member, expressed her satisfaction with the progress made. “This ICT Centre has been a vision for the school, and the collective effort we’ve seen tonight brings us closer to realizing it,” she said.
St. Agatha Girls’ Secondary School, the only girls’ secondary school in Rubanda District, serves over 800 students, with numbers expected to exceed 1,000 next year. Limited resources have left many students without access to computers, and no student could sit for the ICT exam this year due to the lack of facilities.
The ICT/E-Learning Centre is set to address these gaps, ensuring students receive quality education in line with modern technological demands.
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