The Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, has commissioned a five-classroom block, an office and a fully equipped library at Kitimba Primary School, a Church-founded school located at St. Mark’s Maaya Church of Uganda, Kitimba Ward, Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality.
The facility was constructed and fully furnished by the family of Mr. Eliab and Florence Balluma as a gesture of giving back to the community and supporting the development of education.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service held alongside the commissioning ceremony, Bishop Asiimwe commended the Balluma family for their generosity and vision of investing in the education of children.
He also appreciated the teachers for their contribution to the growth and development of learners, emphasising that their role in shaping the future of children deserved recognition and honour.
Quoting Aristotle, he observed that those who educate children well deserve greater honour than those who merely give them life, since education equips children with the skills to live meaningful and productive lives.
Drawing from the Book of Proverbs 4:13, the Bishop urged pupils to value and protect their education, describing it as an important foundation for their future. He emphasised that education was an equaliser that opens doors to opportunities, noting that academic qualifications, particularly university degrees, were essential for accessing certain professional opportunities.
He challenged the school administration and management to take good care of the newly commissioned facility to ensure that it serves its intended purpose for generations to come.
In his remarks, Mr. Eliab Balluma revealed that his decision to support the school was inspired by a visit in August 2025, when he found that the nursery section was operating in a temporary wooden structure.
He explained that the family subsequently resolved to address the challenge by constructing a permanent facility.
He further disclosed that the project was undertaken as an expression of thanksgiving, alongside a thanksgiving service and baptism ceremony for their child, with support and encouragement from Canon Hope Balluma.
Mrs. Florence Balluma expressed joy that what had initially started as a dream had finally become a reality, thanking everyone who contributed to the successful completion of the project.
The facility, valued at over UGX 182 million, comprises five classrooms, an office, a computer laboratory equipped with four desktop computers and a library stocked with 250 books. It also includes 63 twin desks specially designed for the nursery section, 24 office chairs and 13 tables.
The new facility adds to two other primary section classroom blocks previously constructed through the support of Friends of North Kigezi Diocese and the parents, further strengthening the school’s infrastructure.
Mr. Eliab Balluma also commended Bishop Asiimwe for his commitment to improving education, particularly in Church-founded schools specifically Makobore High School and Kinyasano Girls High School, and pledged to continue supporting the Bishop’s efforts in advancing the education ministry of North Kigezi Diocese.
The Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) appreciated parents and teachers for their commitment and collective contribution towards the school’s development.
In his speech the Headteacher, Mr. Herbert Bemereire, reported that the school was established in 2014 and currently has 12 teaching staff and two support staff. He revealed that the school has an enrolment of 291 learners, comprising 202 pupils in the primary section and 89 children in the nursery section.
He appreciated the Government, particularly the Ministry of Education and Sports, for taking up the school under the Universal Primary Education programme, through which it receives a capitation grant.
He also recognised the efforts of the former Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa, for his contribution towards securing the school’s registration with the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Mr. Bemereire encouraged the learners to work hard and urged them to translate the improved learning environment into better academic performance. However, he highlighted inadequate sanitation facilities as one of the school’s major challenges, revealing that the institution currently has only one latrine shared by both pupils and staff.
The Diocesan Education Coordinator, Rev. Evas Arinaitwe, called upon parents to support the school by enrolling their children, consistently paying school fees and providing them with proper nutrition to enhance their learning and academic performance.
The Deputy Mayor of Rukungiri Municipality, Hajjat Maakisuliati, who represented the Mayor, His Worship Boaz Matita, appreciated the contributions of parents, Friends of North Kigezi Diocese and the Balluma family towards the school’s growth.
She pledged to continue lobbying the Government, particularly the Ministry of Education and Sports, for additional support to address the school’s needs.
Meanwhile, the Senior Town Clerk, Mr. John Kwesiga, urged parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s discipline and encouraged them to work together with the school administration to increase enrolment.
He noted that improved enrolment would help the school meet the requirements for obtaining an examination centre number from the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB).
