In the quiet stretches of Nyanga Parish, Rubaare Sub-county in Ntungamo District, New Victory Community School is quietly rewriting expectations.
Locally known as Kawempe, the school stands in three long mud-and-reed structures whose unfinished walls and open design reflect both its limitations and its ambition.
Wind easily sweeps through the classrooms, dust rises with every lesson, and the buildings remain exposed to the elements.
Despite this, the school has become an unexpected academic performer, drawing increasing enrolment from the surrounding community.
Inside the compound, more than 700 learners crowd into limited space across nursery and primary sections.
Desks are insufficient, and many pupils sit in congested classrooms where movement is restricted and learning conditions remain difficult.
“It was started by people in the Nyanga community. They wanted their children to have quality education. It has an enrolment of 729 learners and they are studying in an environment that is not conducive to them,” said headteacher Wilson Natukwatsa.
"The classes are so congested. They don’t have enough seats. Learners are walking long journeys, some could take 3 km from their home to school. The classes are so dusty."
School leaders say the conditions worsen during bad weather, when strong winds and rain disrupt lessons.
“We call upon all well-wishers, and the government, those with good hearts to help this school because it’s trying hard to nurture the next generation of this country,” Natukwatsa added.
Parents also acknowledge the difficult environment, calling for urgent improvements to the infrastructure.
“Help us, the classes are not cemented. We want cement. We want doors. When it rains, this disorganizes the students,” said Barigye Kamusime, the school chairperson.
Despite the fragile physical structures, New Victory Community School has posted impressive academic results.
In the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations, 32 candidates sat the exams, with 16 achieving Division One and the remaining 16 attaining Division Two.
The performance has surprised many in the community and contributed to a rise in enrolment, even as infrastructure challenges persist.
“It is a new school and we are still facing challenges. The structures are not yet up to standard. The beginning is not easy,” said Rogers Asimwe, the Director of Studies.
"But we appreciate those who supported us after we excelled in the 2025 exams. When the wind blows, it enters into their classes and disturbs learning."
At one side of the school compound, piles of mud being mixed for construction signal ongoing efforts to gradually improve facilities.
However, learners continue to study in overcrowded, dusty rooms, with some walking up to three kilometres daily to attend lessons.
In Rubaare Sub-county, the strain on education infrastructure extends beyond New Victory Community School.
At nearby Kacerere Primary School, which has 351 pupils, learning also takes place under difficult conditions.
Classrooms are made of wood, with papyrus mats used as walls, and floors smeared with a mixture of mud and cow dung.
In such settings, basic maintenance often falls to the learners themselves.
Despite these challenges, schools in the area continue to operate, driven by community effort and determination, even as calls for improved infrastructure grow louder.
