Over UGX 390 million both in cash and pledges was raised at a fundraising dinner mean for the establishment of an ICT Hub/E-Learning at St. Agatha Girls’ Secondary School Kakore, a girl’s school in Rubanda district. These funds together with a number of computers were raised during the corporate fundraising dinner hosted by State Minister for Finance and MP for Rubanda East, Hon. Henry Musasizi at Serena Hotel Kampala in the evening of December 13, 2024.
The event which attracted several dignitaries saw Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala officiating accompanied by State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. David Bahati, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, Rukiga County Legislator Hon, Roland Ndyomugyenyi Bish, Ndorwa County East MP Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, Commissioner-General of Uganda Revenue Authority, John Musinguzi Rujoki, Col Emmy Katabazi the Deputy Director General for ISO, International Community of Banyakigezi (ICOB) Apex Board Members, Lillian Kamusime and Evelyne Ninsiima Kikafunda among many other friends of Minister Musasizi.
Entities including Bank of Uganda, Housing Finance Bank, Post Bank, The Madhvani Group of Companies, Financial Interagency Authority, Capital Markets Authority among many others where present.
Speaking during the function, Minister Henry Musasizi said that once this project is done, it will assist on social economic transformation of the community will be achieved further saying that the government has for years supported academic excellence but this is not enough and requires someone to be with skills especially digital skills.
Musasizi further called upon the school administration to make use of the people’s contributions by providing the results and establishing the ICT Hub that will be used by the students and the community saying that he will be the direct supervisor for this project. He appreciated the attendees for honoring his invitation and contributing greatly towards the cause of supporting a rural school of St Agatha to achieve its goal of having a state of art ICT Centre.
Musasizi also appreciated ICOB Apex for setting the agenda to support an ICT Centre at St Agatha Girls School appreciating Evelyn Kikafunda who is a board Member for fighting hard so that this project can be realized.
Speaking during the function, State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Hon. David Bahati says that the only way to empower the girl child is through education, saying that any effort supporting women and girls is welcome. He appreciated Hon. Minister Henry Musasizi for championing this initiative and contributed 10 million towards the cause.
Ninsiima Evelyn Kikafunda, a board member of COB Apex, while giving the opening remarks revealed that the school has been having a vision of establishing an ICT Centre, applauding the unified effort for the realization of this hub at St. Agatha to boost technology and ICT skills at the school and in the community.
While officiating at the function as well as launching the fundraising drive Minister for Works and Transport, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala showed concern of school dropouts especially the girl leading to early marriages and pregnancies saying that education is the only way to hold these young girls safe. He called upon everyone to get on board and assist on raising something for the actualization of this hub.
St. Agatha Girls Secondary School Kakore stands as a beacon of hope for over 800 young girls. It is the only girls’ secondary school in Rubanda district, providing education to students from rural and underprivileged backgrounds. With its student population expected to exceed 1,000 next year, the school faces significant challenges but also holds immense potential. Currently, the school’s limited resources have left many students without access to computers and this year 2024, none of the candidates did an ICT exam due to limited resources.