Museveni donates Shs200m towards construction of new St. Henry’s College science lab

President Museveni has fulfilled part of his pledge of Shs1.3b towards the construction of a modern science laboratory at St. Henry’s College, Kitovu in Masaka District.

Shs200m was delivered to the school administrators by State House comptroller, Ms Lucy Nakyobe, on Sunday during a dedication mass of Senior Six candidates led by the Kitovu Diocesan Vicar General Msgr Severus Jjumba at the school chapel.

Ms Nakyobe said the financial contribution from the president will reduce pressure on parents who have been contributing money towards the construction of the laboratory and focus on looking for fees and other school requirements for their children.

“His [the president] contribution is an addition to the Shs300m that came through the Ministry of Education and has worked on the ground floor of the laboratory which is supposed to enhance teaching of sciences at this school,” Ms Nakyobe said .

Brother Augustine Mugabo, the school head teacher applauded the president for fulfilling part of his pledge, saying the money is going to be used in constructing the first floor of the laboratory to ensure its completion next year upon receiving the last batch of the pledge.
“We are grateful to the president for fulfilling part of his pledge. He promised to construct the science lab which will consume Shs1.3 billion; we have so far received Shs700 million,” Brother Mugabo said.

Mr Museveni pledged to construct the school’s science lab when he visited the school in 2013 during a fundraising drive for constructing a new dormitory, laboratory and expansion of classrooms. The president who auctioned a heifer at Shs50m, made a cash contribution of Shs80m then.

Brother Mugabo explained that the old science lab is too small to accommodate the increasing school population currently standing at over 1,300 students.

Ms Nakyobe, who was in the company of a team of Members Parliament including the Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among, Peter Ogwang (Usuk), Hamson Obua (Ajuri) and Michael Tumusiime (Mbarara Municipality) also delivered an ambulance that Mr Museveni donated to Kyamuliibwa Health Centre VI, Kalungu District.

The ambulance was handed over to Mr Charles Kiberu, the chairperson governing board of the health centre.
“The health centre has been responding to emergencies using a single cabin pick up to reach Masaka Hospital. But with the new ambulance, our patients will comfortably be transported to any referral hospital,” Mr Kiberu said.
Msgr Jjumba, who blessed the lab and also the ambulance, on behalf of the Diocesan Bishop John Baptist Kaggwa, lauded the president for the donation, but urged Ms Nakyobe to remind him about the three tractors he promised to give to the diocese.