Student enrolment at Bukuuku Community Secondary School in Fort Portal City has nearly doubled in two years following a government investment of Shs2.5 billion in infrastructure that has improved the learning environment. The government-aided school in Fort Portal North Division recorded an increase in enrolment from 345 students in 2024 to 420 in 2025, before rising to 678 in 2026, according to school records.
The growth follows infrastructure development funded by the government in 2023 under the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Programme (UGIFT), which provided new classrooms, a science laboratory, a library, a main hall and latrines. Before the investment, the school operated in temporary wooden structures that offered limited classroom space and lacked essential facilities for teaching and learning.
Head teacher Jackline Katuhebwe said the poor infrastructure had discouraged some parents from enrolling their children at the school and made learning difficult for those already attending. She recalled that during rainy seasons, water would enter the wooden classrooms, forcing learners to crowd into the few dry corners as lessons were disrupted. Some students would also miss school on rainy days.
Katuhebwe said the new facilities had transformed the institution, improved learning conditions and helped attract more students.
Fort Portal City Resident Commissioner Asumin Nasike said the government invested in the school to provide learners with adequate infrastructure to support quality education. Nasike urged parents to take advantage of the improved facilities by enrolling their children, noting that the school now had teachers and the infrastructure needed to support learning.
She also challenged students to take their studies seriously, saying the availability of a library, science laboratory and proper classrooms should motivate them to work hard and perform well in examinations.
Students say the improved facilities have eased some of the challenges they previously faced. Irene Kabarokole said rain used to enter the wooden classrooms, forcing learners to crowd into corners for shelter and sometimes soaking their books.She said the new classrooms had eliminated the problem, allowing students to continue with lessons without worrying about rain disrupting their studies.
Another student, Daphine Kabarungi, said the classrooms, library and science laboratory had improved the learning environment and given learners access to facilities that were previously unavailable. She said the facilities were important in helping students understand their subjects and improve academic performance.
Bukuuku Community Secondary School began as a community initiative before the government took it over as a seed secondary school as part of efforts to expand access to secondary education-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
