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in the fields of education and health.
The first two projects undertaken in
2011 were the refurbishment of a
Primary School near Bugambe
(Kyabaseke Primary School) and
construction of a new classroom block
at Muzizi.
The first, Kyabaseke Primary School,
was initially constructed from a
portion of workers’ tax paid to the
government and appropriated for
community development. However, by
the time McLeod Russel took over,
classroom structures were dilapidated
and run down, clearly an unconducive
learning environment.
At Muzizi, there was a primary
school in the neighbourhood with
insufficient classrooms. Muzizi T.E.
had volunteered the workers’ social
hall to double as a classroom during
the day. in 2011 a two-classroom
block was constructed in the main
school premises, leaving the workers’
social hall as a designated and
customized leisure facility for estate
workers and dependants.
Thereafter, and in a phased manner,
primary schools were refurbished at
Ankole, Mwenge and Kisaru Tea
Estates. At Ankole and Mwenge,
schools are situated on Company land.
Early Childhood Development
Centers (ECDCs)
Many employees live with families
on site, and young children require
professionally guided early childhood
development. On most of our estates,
these were attended to in senior staff
clubs or workers’ social halls. On
several occasions, children were
displaced to make room for some
Company activities. in some cases,
shelter was provided under trees in
the compound.
in a planned and phased manner,
construction of dedicated nursery
schools was begun and soon completed
at Kiko and Mwenge, which the
children of managerial staff, junior staff,
workers and the estates’ immediate
neighbourhood, attend.
Benefits of this Support
McLeod Russel’s investment in
primary education has increased
confidence among employees and
created a sense of belonging. The
neighbouring communities, who also
benefit from this infrastructure, hold
MRUL in high esteem. while the
government has a policy on Universal
Primary Education (UPE), provision
of sufficient infrastructure is a difficult
and sometimes incomplete task.
Support from corporates, such as
McLeod Russel, is indeed much
appreciated.
The Journey Ahead
The requirements for providing
quality education are definitely
numerous. with Uganda’s high birth
rates and developing economy,
ever-growing
infrastructure
is
required. As a business organization,
MRUL has tried its best and
development planning continues to
designate specific CSR projects on
estates, subject to business exigencies
and affordability.
Refurbished Primary School at Ankole
Newly Constructed Nursery School at Kiko
Mwenge Nursery School Graduation
New Classroom at Muzizi
Children’s Christmas Party
Kyabaseke Primary School
JULY 2015 47