Rubanda District Chairman Stephen Ampeire Kasyaba has announced a Shs1 billion investment in infrastructure development at St. John’s Secondary School Ikumba.
Kasyaba made the declaration during the Sunday School Day and Thanksgiving ceremony at St John’s Catholic Church, revealing that the funds, allocated in the next financial year, will go towards constructing new classroom blocks and completing the school's main hall, which is still under construction.
The school, a mixed day and boarding institution, is located in Karukara Ward, Hamurwa Subcounty, along the Kabale-Kisoro road.
“The allocated money is part of the additional funding provided by the Ministry of Finance under the Transitional Development Grant,” Kasyaba explained.
He expressed gratitude to State Minister of Finance and Rubanda East MP Henry Musasizi for his role in securing the grant.
In addition to the upcoming projects, Rubanda District has already invested Shs300 million in constructing two dormitories for both boys and girls at the school.
Kasyaba commended the school’s administration, led by Headteacher Odeith Ampeire, for continuously working to improve academic performance.
The chairman also highlighted other ongoing education projects in the district, including a Shs500 million state-of-the-art computer laboratory under construction at St Agatha Girls SS Kakore.
Addressing parents, Kasyaba stressed the value of education, urging them to invest in their children's future.
“In the past, parents would bequeath land to their children as inheritance, but today, with dwindling agricultural land in Kigezi, education remains the only viable means of securing their future,” he said.
He also dismissed claims that education is futile due to job scarcity. “Education is the key to unlocking opportunities, and we must prioritize it,” Kasyaba noted.
Kakore Rugambwa Catholic Parish priest Rev Fr Deusdedit Maniragaba commended the Rubanda District Administration for prioritizing investment in education.
He also praised Minister Musasizi for his collaboration with the district leadership and for his “unmatched strategic lobbying” for development projects in the area.