Roofings Group is investing approximately Shs3.5 billion in the redevelopment of Kasubi Family Primary School in Kampala, with the first phase of construction expected to be completed by the end of October.
The project, being implemented in partnership with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), will replace ageing school structures and provide additional facilities, including classrooms, a kindergarten section, a multipurpose hall, staff quarters, a sick bay, a bakery and a canteen.
Edwin Abaasa, Roofings Group’s Brand Manager, said the redevelopment was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, under its Forever Education initiative.
“As part of giving back to the community, we embarked on redeveloping this school, which was in very poor condition. We are rebuilding it from the ground up, and the project is costing us approximately Shs3.5 billion,” Abaasa said.
He said the redevelopment was being undertaken in two phases, with the primary school section forming the first phase.
“Phase One, which includes the primary school section, is approximately 80 per cent complete. Once it is ready for occupation, the students can move in and use the new facilities as we proceed with Phase Two,” he said.
Abaasa said the overall project was about 50 per cent complete, adding that the company hoped to finish the entire redevelopment by the end of the year, subject to the progress of construction.
Lucky Ninsiima, the project lead and Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Managing Director of Roofings Group, said the first phase comprised 14 classrooms and was expected to be completed by the end of October.
The second phase, scheduled to begin in November, will include the kindergarten section, multipurpose hall, staff quarters, sick bay, bakery, canteen and landscaping.
“Our focus is not just to construct good buildings, but also to follow up and ensure that the quality of education and the quality of teachers at this school are top-notch,” Ninsiima said.
She added that the company intended to continue supporting the school beyond construction by empowering learners, supporting teachers and working with KCCA and the surrounding community.
“We will not stop at building the structures. We also intend to empower the students, support the teachers and work with our key stakeholders,” she said.
Ninsiima said temporary facilities had been provided to allow learning to continue during construction. Once the first phase is ready, pupils will move into the completed section to enable the demolition of the remaining old structures and the commencement of the second phase.
School serves as community facility
Mabaale Florence, the headteacher of Kasubi Family Primary School, said the institution was the only government-aided school in Kasubi Parish, Rubaga Division, and also served as an important community facility during elections.
“The school hosts twelve polling stations during elections, hence being vital to the community,” Mabaale said.
She said the redevelopment followed an earlier community initiative launched in 2023 by Ariana Lalani, daughter of Roofings Group founder Dr. Sikander Lalani and his wife, Winifred Lalani.
According to Mabaale, the initiative introduced vocational skills training for young people using the school premises. About 112 youths received training in income-generating activities, including baking, sewing, soap-making and petroleum jelly production.
Moved by the contribution of the initiative, Dr. Lalani pledged to redevelop the school after recognising that its existing structures were no longer adequate for learners, Mabaale said.
“On behalf of the school fraternity, I sincerely appreciate Roofings Group for inviting me on this special occasion and for creating a positive, long-lasting impact on our school and community,” she said.
She also thanked the government for supporting initiatives aimed at community development.
Part of wider CSR programme
Abaasa said the Kasubi project was part of Roofings Group’s three CSR pillars: Forever Education, Forever Health and Forever Forestry.
Under Forever Health, he said, the company supplies free oxygen to government hospitals across the country through its oxygen plant in Namanve. Forever Forestry focuses on environmental sustainability through the distribution of free trees to individuals, organisations, churches and clubs.
In education, Abaasa cited the company’s support for St. Peter’s School in Namanve, which he said had grown from about 200 learners to approximately 1,200 following the company’s involvement.
He said Roofings Group also provides about 30 scholarships every term to pupils at the school, targeting both high-performing learners and those unable to afford school fees.
Ninsiima said the company intended to ensure that its investment in Kasubi translated into long-term benefits for generations of learners.
“When we assessed the condition of the school and its surrounding environment, we felt that we needed to make a lasting impact on the community and on the generations of children who attend this school, including those who may study here 100 years from now,” she said.
