Audit firm in education and health drive

Students of Namulonge S.S planting fruits in the school compound during. Authorities intend to permit resumption of schools in a phased manner. PHOTO/FILE/RACHEL MABALA.

What you need to know:

  • Mr Musoke Nsereko Wakayima the area MP for Namulonge said education in the Namulonge is still appalling as many students still study in dilapidated structures. He called for increased participation of parents and government in the development of the education in the area and country at large.
  • The audit firm joined the rest of the Grant Thornton (GT)firms world over to participate in their annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) day. The country CSR champion Mrs. Mirian Ndyanabo Mwijukye who led the team in handing over classroom and toilet facilities to the school.

Audit firm Grant Thornton Uganda has constructed classroom blocks and toilets for Namulonge Senior Secondary school. The school previously had two blocks to accommodate over 450 students who study from the school.

According to Mr Robert David Lunyagwa the Headmaster of the school, Namulonge SS started in 1988 as a partnership between the community and the church. “The church allocated land and the community built the school structures, however, today with a population of 450 students the school lacks the basic necessities to guarantee the health and safety of the students,” he said.

Mr Lunyagwa said the school has limited class rooms and the teachers use the big mango tree in their compound as a staffroom. And the school students use another big tree in the compound as their library.

According to a report released by the Uganda National examinations board, many students cannot read and write. The detailed report which uncovers the rot in the education sector highlights challenges facing education sector today among which is lack of facilites for students.

The audit firm joined the rest of the Grant Thornton (GT)firms world over to participate in their annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) day. The country CSR champion Mrs. Mirian Ndyanabo Mwijukye who led the team in handing over classroom and toilet facilities to the school.

Students of Namulonge S.S planting fruits in the school compound during. Authorities intend to permit resumption of schools in a phased manner. PHOTO/FILE/RACHEL MABALA.

“At the school our area of interest was creating a better learning environment with better hygiene facilities and a cooler environment. A classroom block with a capacity sitting of 100 students and 2 offices was handed over to the school with a toilet block and a 5000 litres tank,” she said.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the items to the school on Friday, Mr Musoke Nsereko Wakayima the area MP for Namulonge said education in the Namulonge is still appalling as many students still study in dilapidated structures. He called for increased participation of parents and government in the development of the education in the area and country at large.

Men donating blood at Lugogo house as part of the drive by the Grand Thornton last week as they marked their annual CSR celebrations on Friday. Photo by Rachel Mabala

Mr Anil Patel, the managing partner at Grant Thornton Uganda said for their CSR activities, they were focusing on education and hygiene as the basic necessities that the every societies needs. “Society is very important very important because everything that happens does not escape the attention of society,” he said.

He explained that the activities taking place were a celebration of the different activities done in societies by the GT firms across the world. Through these initiatives, Grant Thornton Uganda invested by building a classroom block and water tank and toilet.

“In addition to changing the look of this school, we are encouraging the teachers and the parents in building the future of their children but as an accounting firm we have come up with a programme to train graduates with basic knowledge of book keeping,” he said.

C- Mr. Anil Patel, the managing partner at Grant Thornton Uganda with staff and students of Namulonge S.S planting fruits in the school compound during the unveiling of the new structural block of Namulonge S.S last Friday. Photo by Rachel Mabala

Mr. Jasmine Shah, the Partner in charge of Audit pledged to train students in basic accounting principles as part of their initiative to develop a professional work force. He said as part of their strategy 2020, they will continue working with communities to bring about change.

Mr. Chris Mayanja the Director of Tax, highlighted on Grant Thornton’s most valued assets which is the people. He said at the end of the day the organization can't grow unless people are empowered through creating opportunities that unlock their potential.