Muhabura Centenary Pre/Primary School Classroom Block Construction and Water Harvesting Project

The Lord has been good and an excellent team has answered the call to serve in Uganda this August. We will be preparing for the mission trip by studying together, meeting and praying together, and learning about the area in which we will serve. We will also be working hard to raise money for the school and water project. The details are included below. If you would like us to visit your church to share about the upcoming trip and the mission work of the ADNE, please contact me at leah.turner@adne.org. We need all your prayers, support, and yes - funds. This is the largest project we have attempted but we know the Lord can do it. Enjoy reading about Centenery School and God Bless!

Muhabura Centenary Pre/Primary School Classroom Block Construction and Water Harvesting Project - Anglican Diocese of Muhabura

About The School
Muhabura Centenary Pre/Primary School was founded in 2010 by the Diocese of Muhabura with a vision to provide holistic education that instils Christian values and fosters academic excellence. It is located in Kisoro Municipality in southwestern Uganda, neighboring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Over the past few decades, civil and political unrest in both these countries has resulted in an influx of refugees seeking shelter and settling in this beautiful mountainous district. Another unique population in this district is an indigenous community of the Batwa. They once inhabited the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest but have since been resettled into the local communities.

The region has many disadvantaged families living below the poverty line. Most of these can barely afford life’s basic needs, much less education for their children. They all look up to the church for hope and help. The Church of Uganda, in its commitment to serving God and meeting the crucial needs of its community, considers education as one of the key players in socio-economic empowerment and poverty eradication.
As such, the Diocese of Muhabura founded Centenary Primary School to provide affordable education to vulnerable community members, including refugees, the Batwa, and children from low-income families in Kisoro District. It is also a school for children rescued and raised at Potter’s Village, a child-crisis center run by the diocese.

In addition to the education they receive, children who have had traumatic experiences are given counselling and emotional support by the diocesan teams that visit the school regularly.
Muhabura Centenary Pre/Primary School is a privately owned nursery and primary school under the Diocese of Muhabura. It does not receive funding from the Government. It offers education to all children regardless of their religious, social, economic and cultural affiliations. The motto of the school is “Ever forward.”

The school’s current enrollment is 313 pupils: 156 boys and 157 girls. The school has 14 staff: eight teachers and six in support roles. The Acting Head teacher is Benon Habumuremyi and the Director is Rev. Mugiraneza Innocent, who also serves as chaplain. The Director reports to the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Stephen Ruzaza, who in turn reports to the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Mbitse Godfrey.

Muhabura Centenary Pre/Primary school follows the Ministry of Education school curriculum and incorporates vocational skills and extracurricular activities like sports, music and drama to foster creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The school has experienced teachers and dedicated staff who are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils to grow and thrive in Africa and beyond.

The need for a new classroom block stems from the ever-increasing number of pupils and the poor state of the current learning spaces at the school. Enrollment grew from 248 pupils in 2023 to 313 in 2026. The school population is expected to continue rising since the school excelled in prior years in the national Primary Leaving Examinations. The diocese has had to improvise with temporary wooden classrooms to create learning spaces for the pupils. However, these are below the standards required by the Government’s Ministry of Education and Sports. Temporary shelters pose a serious risk — rotten poles, heavy rains, and wind could cause them to collapse. The structures are also a fire hazard. The porous walls leave the classrooms poorly insulated, exposing children to cold temperatures.

The proposed project would provide Centenary Primary School with a fully furnished classroom block, creating a safe and conducive learning environment. It will have three independent classrooms each with a sitting capacity of 55 pupils, totaling 165. Two 10,000-liter rainwater tanks will also be installed, which will collect water from the new classroom block and another existing block, tapping into their God-given high volume of rainfall, which averages between 80-90 inches of rain per year. When the project is completed, the diocese will be directly responsible for the management and maintenance of both the classroom block and water harvesting equipment.

This project is estimated to cost $48,873 (UGX 175,945,785) and will be completed in 7 months. Submitted alongside this document is the bill of quantities.

The new classroom block will not only create a conducive learning environment — boosting overall academic performance — but will also allow the school to increase enrollment and continue serving the community's most vulnerable families. This will increase literacy levels in the community, reduce the number of street children, and nurture the next generation to become God-fearing leaders who will participate in the transformation of their communities and their nation.

Success Stories From Former Students
Niyobyose Blessed, who completed her primary level of education at this school, says, “I am so grateful to have completed my primary education at Muhabura Centenary Pre/Primary school. The teachers are kind, patient, and always willing to help. They have taught me not only academics but also how to be a good person, and a Christian. I loved the school’s emphasis on values like kindness, honesty, and respect. I do believe that these values will help me in future.” Blessed is currently studying at Seseme Girls’ Secondary School in Senior Level 1.

Mugisha Derick, who also completed his primary education at the school, says, “I am proud to be a product of Muhabura Centenary Pre and Primary School. The school has been instrumental in my growth – not just academically but also holistically. The school taught me important life skills like leadership, teamwork, and compassion. I was part of the school leadership team and that experience helped me develop confidence and public speaking skills. I am grateful for the values instilled in me and I am now at one of the best secondary schools in the country representing my school with pride. Thank you, Muhabura Centenary, for shaping me into a well-rounded individual.” Derick is now a student at Metropolitan University working on a diploma in Business Administration.

The new classroom block will allow for more student success stories.

God bless.