By Willy Chowoo
The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has extended a helping hand to Apala B Primary School in Oyam District, committing over Sh60 million towards its rehabilitation and educational support. The initiative is part of UWA’s community engagement efforts aimed at strengthening relationships with communities neighboring Murchison Falls National Park.
According to UWA official, Sh50 million has been allocated to renovate school buildings, ensuring a safer and more conducive learning environment for students. The school, which has long struggled with inadequate infrastructure, will benefit from improved classrooms that enhance both teaching and learning experiences. “We are spending Sh50 million to rehabilitate some buildings in the school because they are our neighbors from Murchison Falls National Park, and we are giving back to the community,” said Sam Mwandha, the UWA Executive Director
Mr. Ongebo Tom Richard, the headteacher of the school, expressed gratitude to UWA for helping them overcome the challenge of maintaining school structures. “We were unable to renovate the classrooms, and this support will increase the number of functional classrooms to eleven,” he said.
The school, located in Kamdini, has a population of 1,400 learners, including 600 girls. However, it continues to face other infrastructural challenges, such as the lack of changing rooms for girls, which has contributed to school dropouts. Additionally, housing for teachers remains inadequate, with only seven out of 12 teachers accommodated in staff houses, some of which have leaking roofs.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, UWA has also provided much-needed educational materials. The authority has donated textbooks for Primary Four to Seven, as requested by the school, worth Sh13 million. Additionally, 10 cartons of exercise books, branded with UWA’s information and conservation messages, have been provided at a cost of Sh3.5 million. Speaking at the handover event, UWA’s Executive Director, Sam Mwandha, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting education and development in communities living near protected areas.
By supporting schools like Apala B, we are not only strengthening our bond with the community but also promoting conservation awareness among young learners,” Mwandha said.
Local leaders, school administrators, and parents welcomed UWA’s gesture, highlighting its significance in improving education standards in the area. They acknowledged the long-standing challenges faced by the school, including dilapidated classrooms and a lack of learning materials, and expressed gratitude for UWA’s intervention.
Mr. Ongebo, the headteacher of the school, said the renovated classrooms will now accommodate Primary One and Two learners, totaling to about 320 students who previously struggled with inadequate classroom space.
This initiative aligns with UWA’s broader strategy of promoting coexistence between wildlife conservation efforts and neighboring human settlements. By investing in education, UWA hopes to foster positive attitudes toward wildlife protection and reduce human-wildlife conflicts in the region. The support to Apala B Primary School is part of UWA’s ongoing efforts to enhance community livelihoods while ensuring the sustainability of Uganda’s wildlife heritage.
Nwoya District Local Government Chairman, Orach Emmanuel, recently stated that educating children from communities living in and around national parks will help reduce illegal poaching, as it will provide them with alternative livelihood opportunities.
“It is poverty that drives them to poach inside our park. Sending our children to school will help reduce this nuisance,” he noted.
Conservation benefiting Communities
Through its Revenue Sharing Program, UWA disbursed UGX 3.5 billion to communities neighboring protected areas to fund schools, health centers, and infrastructure projects.
“When communities benefit from conservation, they are less likely to engage in poaching or retaliatory killings of wildlife,” says Orach Emmanuel, Chairman Nwoya District Local government.
