Salaam TV and Salaam Charity have officially extended their transformative Smart Village program to Luuka District, in a move aimed at improving livelihoods through education, health, household income and strengthening the Muslim community through construction and rehabilitation of mosques.
The initiative comes in response to pressing challenges facing communities in Luuka, particularly in the education and health sectors, where poverty and inadequate infrastructure continue to affect service delivery and community well-being.
The Managing Director of Salaam Charity and Salaam TV, Hajji Kareem Kalisa, led a delegation into the district, beginning with consultative meetings involving political, technical and religious leaders.
District authorities highlighted the urgent need for intervention, noting increasing pressure on schools, health facilities and household incomes.
Following the meetings, the delegation was guided by the District Kadhi, Sheikh Ismael Rashid Kyeyune, alongside the LC III Chairperson of Kyanvuma Town Council, Haruna Muzilu, to inspect several critical community institutions.
Among the sites visited was Nakabugu Muslim Primary School, one of the district’s oldest and most historically significant schools, known for producing prominent leaders.
Despite its legacy and government support, the delegation expressed concern over its deteriorating condition, including inadequate classrooms and aging structures in need of urgent rehabilitation. Some buildings have reportedly been damaged by heavy rains, leaving learners vulnerable.
Sheikh Kyeyune noted that many schools across the district face similar challenges, with insufficient infrastructure and limited resources.
He emphasized that the education crisis is closely linked to widespread poverty, which also affects the health sector and general household welfare.
“The coming of this program is timely,” Sheikh Kyeyune said. “Our communities are struggling, and interventions like Smart Village will help restore hope and dignity.”
Hajji Kalisa confirmed that the Smart Village program will officially take shape during the holy month of Ramadan and will run for one year.
He explained that the initiative is designed to complement government efforts, including programs such as the Parish Development Model, by supporting and amplifying existing development interventions.
The program will focus on empowering households economically, particularly targeting individuals who currently earn less than one dollar a day. Through training and community-based initiatives, residents will be equipped with practical skills to engage in income-generating activities, enabling them to support their families and improve food security in their homes.
Kalisa also called upon local leaders and communities to actively support the initiative, noting that the program relies heavily on donations from well-wishers.
“This is a community-driven program,” he said. “We call upon everyone to champion it, because the support we receive goes directly into refurbishing schools, mosques, health facilities and uplifting livelihoods.”
He added that once the one-year intervention in Luuka District is complete, the Smart Village program will expand to other districts facing similar socio-economic challenges, with the goal of transforming vulnerable communities across the country.
