Mbale — It was a day of jubilation and celebration at Nabumali Boarding Primary School in Mbale District as the school received its very first bus, courtesy of Equity Bank Uganda.
The atmosphere was filled with joy as pupils, teachers, and residents gathered to welcome officials from the bank, alongside local leaders including Mr Paddy Khaukha, the District Education Officer; Mr Moses Kutoi, the area Mayor; and Rev. Eridad Milton Shissa, the Diocesan Secretary of Mbale Diocese, among others.
The celebrations began early at 9:00 a.m. with a symbolic flag-off of the bus from Equity Bank’s Mbale Branch before the convoy made its way to the school. Upon arrival, guests were treated to a lively program featuring poetry and traditional dance performances by the pupils.
Excitement spread beyond the school grounds as community members gathered to witness the historic moment — a new chapter for the school and the neighbourhood. For many, the bus symbolises progress, convenience, and opportunity.
Nabumali Boarding Primary School acquired the bus through Equity Bank’s Asset Financing Facility, a financial solution that enables individuals, schools, and businesses to acquire essential assets such as vehicles, machinery, and equipment without paying the full cost upfront.
“In this particular case, the school paid 20% of the total cost of the bus, while Equity Bank financed the remaining 80%. The school will then repay this amount over nine school terms — equivalent to three years,” explained Mr Nakhasanga Ronald Sam, the Bank’s Regional Manager for Eastern Uganda, during the handover ceremony.
He added that the gesture underscores Equity Bank’s commitment to empowering education and supporting community development through affordable financial solutions.
For Nabumali, transportation has long been a challenge — especially for academic trips, sports events, and official engagements. With the new bus, those struggles may soon be a thing of the past.
“This bus is not just for the school but also for the community,” said Ms Beatrice Katami Wachaya, the Head Teacher. “As educators, we don’t just teach — we aim to make a difference in our community. This is one of the ways we’re doing that.”
Founded by missionaries in 1975, Nabumali Boarding Primary School is one of the oldest primary schools in the Bugisu subregion. It is jointly managed by the Church of Uganda and the Government of Uganda, and remains the only boarding primary school under Universal Primary Education (UPE) in the region.
