Story by Aggrey Twesigye
Mbarara City authorities on Thursday handed over 325 twin desks to 22 government-aided primary schools in a move aimed at improving the learning environment amid rising pupil enrolment.
The desks, worth UGX 77 million, were procured through the central government’s maintenance fund and are expected to ease overcrowding in classrooms across the selected schools.
During the handover ceremony at the former Kamukuzi Division offices, Mbarara City Education Officer Ezra Atuhaire disclosed that while the city has 63 government-aided primary schools, only 22 qualified for the support after submitting their annual asset registers a key requirement in the allocation process.
He urged school heads to prioritize timely reporting and accountability to continue benefiting from such interventions.
Mbarara City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, who officiated the event, acknowledged ongoing infrastructure challenges, particularly in rural schools.
However, he highlighted recent progress, including the construction of new classroom blocks with support from the central government.
The desk donation comes at a critical time as public schools in the city struggle to accommodate a growing student population, putting pressure on existing facilities.
