At Namagonjo Primary School in Bugiri District, change is taking root in ways that are transforming both learning and lives. Through UCOBAC’s Child Development Project, the school has been supported to address key barriers affecting children from vulnerable householdsranging from provisionof school fees and scholastic materials to the provision of school meals. These interventions have created a more enabling environment for children to stay in school, learn effectively and thrive.
At the heart of this transformation is the school’s head teacher, Mr. Joel Mukose. He was last month recognized by the Ministry of Education and Sports under the Teachers Making a Difference (TMD) initiative, in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland Uganda.
This national recognition celebrates educators who go beyond their formal responsibilities to positively impact their communities. Mr. Mukose’s award including being named the bestperforming alumni of the initiative after participating in a 2024 study visit to Ireland highlights the growing influence of leadership nurtured within project supported schools.
Building on both the exposure from Ireland and ongoing support through UCOBAC’s interventions, Mr. Mukose championed the establishment of a schoolbased feeding initiative.
By allocating part of the school’s capitation grant to develop a sweet potato garden, the school has strengthened its feeding program approach that directly complements UCOBAC’s model, where school feeding serves as a critical entry point for improving attendance, retention and learning outcomes.
“I got the inspiration to engage in school feeding program after my visit to Ireland from UCOBAC which supports over 100 children to feed at my school. When these children started to receive the school feeding support, the levels of absenteeism reduced, their health and physical appearance improved, their concentration in class, cognitive function and academic performance improved. School feeding is a safety net for vulnerable children during times of food insecurity,” said Mr Mukose.
According to UCOBAC Senior Program Officer, Susan Gamwino, Mr Mukose’s recognition for his school feeding initiative demonstrates how project supported schools are increasingly adopting and sustaining practices that can enhance child development beyond direct project inputs.
The impact is already visible. School leadership and community stakeholders report improved enrolment and attendance, attributed in part to the availability of meals at school.
Mr David Samanya, the chairperson school management committee is quoted by a New Vision article as saying that improved school feeding has increased enrolment at the school.
This reinforces evidence that integrated child focused interventions that combine education support and nutrition can significantly improve both access to education and learning outcomes.
For UCOBAC, Mr. Mukose’s recognition and intervention at the school is a powerful reminder that lasting change happens when community driven initiatives and government efforts work hand in hand.
UCOBAC’s Child Development Project did not just support a school, it sparked a movement of school feeding that the school will sustain long even after the project is gone.
