Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Jennifer Musisi Semakula is a happy lady today; she has walked away with a Shs60 million assurance aimed at improving conditions in the Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools in the city.
The money, announced by NSSF Managing Director Richard Byarugaba, was raised during the inaugural NSSF Kampala Hash Seven Hills charity run on April 3 this year that was graced by over 600 individuals and officials from the corporate world.
KCCA is in charge of over 79 UPE schools but the first beneficiaries of the money are Nakivubo Settlement School and St. Ponsiano Kyamula Primary School, with the former set to get Shs55 million for renovations, while the latter will get Shs5 million to construct a water harvest point.
“The raised money will help improve on the conditions in these schools like sanitation facilities and infrastructure in the next two years,” Mr Byarugaba said, before lauding those who participated in the run. Contributions were received from among other organisations Stanbic Bank, KCB, Bank of Uganda, Monitor Publications, Standard Chartered Bank, NTV Uganda, Computer Point, Pinnacle Security, INterswitch East Africa, Vision Group, Roko, Rwenzori Bottling Company, Deloitte and Touche, Fireworks Advertising, KCCA and staff of NSSF.
According to Ms Musisi, the schools will not be given money directly but KCCA will use it to put in place the said facilities. She also lauded the NSSF and other partners for heeding the plight of the schools and urged more companies to join the cause.
On their part, the representatives of the beneficiary schools hailed the authority for the assistance. They however, said there was need to improve on the pupil-teacher ratio, which they believe will help in developing the UPE standards.
Previously, NSSF has engaged in a number of corporate social responsible initiatives like the Annual Torch Awards, blood donation drives in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the annual Dental Camp at Mulago Hospital.