As public schools across Kampala continue to face severe shortages—and in some cases, a total lack—of staff accommodation, a Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) official has appealed to development partners and philanthropists to support efforts aimed at improving teacher welfare through the construction of residential units.
The call was made on Friday by the KCCA Education Officer for Nakawa Division, Gerald Makamba, during the commissioning of a Shs 300 million multipurpose hall donated to Mbuya Church of Uganda Primary School by the Classic Leader Foundation.
While expressing gratitude for the facility, Makamba highlighted three pressing needs that continue to hinder learning outcomes in many public schools: the renovation of ageing structures, digitalisation of school systems, and the urgent construction of staff quarters.
“We are very happy that you have constructed a hall for this school, but there are three other critical challenges I request you to help with if there is still that chance. Facelifting old structures, digitalising the school, and constructing staff accommodation. Staff welfare is key to effective teaching and learning,” Makamba said.
Mbuya Primary School Headteacher, Jonathan Mukinusu, echoed the appeal, revealing the dire state of teacher housing at the institution. With no staff quarters available, several teachers have resorted to sleeping in classrooms to avoid long commutes or unaffordable rent.
“About six teachers and two support staff sleep in classrooms. The issue of teachers’ accommodation has been long overdue. Some travel long distances to access the school,” Mukinusu said.
A female staff member, who resides in a classroom with colleagues, said the decision was driven by financial constraints.
“We are about four teachers sharing a classroom. We demarcated it into smaller units using plywood for privacy because we have families,” she said, adding that her low salary makes it difficult to afford rental housing in nearby communities.
Mbuya Primary School currently employs 24 teachers, four of whom serve in the nursery section.
Although the Classic Leader Foundation did not commit to constructing staff houses, its representative Priyesh Pravinchandra Shah reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to supporting education infrastructure across Uganda.
“What started as a simple donation of exercise books has grown into a powerful nationwide movement reaching more than 10,000 schools across the country. Our vision expanded from giving materials to expanding minds and communities,” Shah said.
The foundation, which provides more than 480 scholarships to disadvantaged learners each year, plans to continue building multipurpose halls in selected schools as part of its mission to promote education and community empowerment.
The issue of teacher accommodation remains a national concern. President Yoweri Museveni has on several occasions pledged to construct staff houses as part of a broader strategy to enhance teacher welfare—most recently in July during negotiations with arts teachers over delayed salary enhancements.