The government has launched a long-awaited facelift for Kigezi College Butobere, one of Uganda’s oldest schools, which has been struggling with deteriorating infrastructure.
Established in 1957 in Butobere, Central Division, Kabale Municipality, Kigezi College Butobere, commonly known as SINIYA has faced a decline in student enrollment due to its dilapidated structures, worn-out furniture, and poor sanitation facilities.
Once home to over 1,000 students, the school has seen a sharp drop in numbers in recent years. Many of the school’s buildings have leaking roofs, while others are still covered with condemned asbestos iron sheets, posing health risks.
Despite the government allocating Shs 3 billion for renovations over the last five financial years, the funds were returned to the treasury under unclear circumstances. However, last week, the government, through Kabale Municipality authorities, officially launched the renovation project, which will be undertaken by Vidas Construction Company, owned by Didas Ndamira.
Kabale Municipality mayor Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha confirmed that the funding was secured from the ministry of Education and Sports under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program (UGIFT).
He noted that, given the school’s dire condition, the current funding will cover only 30% of the rehabilitation work. However, additional government funding is expected to support further improvements in traditional schools across the country.
Moses Turyomurugyendo Ntahobari, the chairperson of the school’s board of governors, welcomed the renovation efforts, calling them a significant relief. He emphasized that students had been forced to study and sleep in unsafe and deteriorating buildings, making the facelift a much-needed intervention.
