The Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU) has handed over an assortment of musical instruments, sporting equipment, and compound plates carrying anti-child labour messages to schools in Kagulu Sub-county, Buyende District, as part of an initiative to tackle child labour and boost school enrollment and retention.
Valued at Shs15 million, the donation includes balls, skipping ropes, drums, and compound plates.
The initiative targets children who had dropped out of school to engage in fishing, sugarcane cutting, rice growing, and other forms of child labour.
Yakubu Kalamagi, the programme Officer at UNATU, said the two-year intervention is supported by Education International and focuses on training headteachers, teachers, and the wider community on the importance of education.
“We are here to empower teachers with knowledge and skills to create safe, inclusive environments that can attract learners and enable them to complete primary education,” Kalamagi said.
He added that promoting child-friendly schools will not only increase enrollment but also enhance retention, noting that improved learning environments have a direct impact on academic performance and overall pupil well-being.
Hajjati Aisha Watongola Kumutala, Chairperson of UNATU in the Busoga Sub-region, emphasized the severity of child labour in the area.
“Our survey revealed widespread engagement of children in stone quarrying, sand mining, fishing, sugarcane cutting, and rice farming," she said.
"This is unacceptable. Parents are now beginning to understand the value of education, and music will play a vital role in developing children's cognitive, emotional, and social skills."
Sowed Kitimbo, headteacher of Miru Primary School, who represented the District Education Officer, welcomed the intervention, saying musical instruments will help stimulate learners' interest and boost creative expression.
“Music education enhances motor skills, brain development, and fosters self-expression. It’s a crucial part of building well-rounded individuals and strong communities,” Kitimbo noted.
Charles Badebye, Chairperson of the Headteachers’ Association in Buyende District, said the donation ends a long-standing struggle due to limited government funding for music, dance, and drama.
“We now have the tools to motivate children and fully support this noble cause to ensure they return to and remain in school,” he said.