Uganda’s tax body, the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), together with partners today donated a 30 seater motorized boat and life jackets to the children of Bwama in Rubanda, Kabale District who had to puddle on a canoe to get to school across Lake Bunyonyi.
This follows a report on NTV, way back in April, showing kids using a canoe to cross lake Bunyonyi to attend school. The report showed that along the books, the pupils had to carry a puddle to row the boat to Bwama Primary School across the lake.
According to the URA Commissioner General, Musinguzi Rujoki, The boat, the engine and the life jackets have all together cost us UGX 115 Million with URA contributing UGX 41.4 Million while it’s partners contributed UGX 73.6 Million.
The partners in this initiative include Stanbic Bank Uganda, Uganda Baati Ltd, Toyota Uganda Ltd, Diamond Trust Bank, Total Uganda Ltd, Roofings Uganda Ltd, National Drug Authority, Standard Chattered Bank, Dark Couriers, Uganda Fishnet Manufacturers Ltd, Steel and Tube Industries Ltd, Cooper Motors Corporation Ltd, Bunyonyi Safari’s Ltd, Bolax Enterprises Ltd, Kargo International Ltd, BBS Telefayina, Mercantile Credit Bank, Chickenways Uganda Ltd, SPEDAG intefreight U Ltd, Atlas Cargo Systems U Ltd, Galaxyy FM, Lincoln Logistics Ltd, Charms Uganda Ltd, among others.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Rujoki thanked the partners who contributed to the initiative and local area leaders who gave them an opportunity to play “a small act of kindness towards future taxpayers.”
The area MP and Minister for Trade, Industry and cooperatives, Hon David Bahati, was also present for the handover ceremony.
Mr Rujoki said the 27 brands will forever sail with the Pupils of Bwama Primary School as they travel to and from school on the just donated motorized boat or call it the Water School Bus.
He, however, applauded the children from Bwama Primary School for enduring the different hardships and persisting to attend school to make something of themselves and their future.
“I urge you dear children not to faulter even during hardships because you will one day emerge winners. The hard times are preparing you for the great things ahead. Make the best out of your situation and prepare to become our great leaders tomorrow,” he said.
“Bwama PS is a distance away. I ‘ve learned that there are days you ‘ve had to miss school due to transport. I encourage you make the most of the days you go to school. God will sustain you and see you through. One day you’ll be a Commissioner General, Minister or the President.” Rujoki told the young beneficiaries.
In the report, kids both girls and boys in uniform, the eldest 14 years old, puddled and battled the tide without life jackets risking to attain education across Uganda’s deepest lake.
Bwama is a government-aided school serving a wide area with an enrollment of about 100 pupils with 7 boats and a few life jackets to facilitate transport for learners across the lake.
The kids testified that on windy days or when it rains, especially in September when the weather is terrible, the pupils stay home fearing to take the risk. At the end of the day, they have to puddle home if they are lucky to find the boat intact and not stolen by thieves.
“As Uganda Revenue Authority, we celebrate these 27 taxpayers for standing with the future taxpayers.
Mr Rujoki said.
Area MP Bahati was overjoyed with URA’s contribution to the area, commending the authority URA’s growth in revenue performance in the last 30 years.
“I am grateful for the kindness that URA has exhibited in this cause because on top of revenue growth in the last 30 years, they as staff and management, do raise funds to support communities through CSR initiatives like this one. My people and I are grateful for this kindness,” said Bahati.
The MP further pledged Shs 10 million towards the maintenance of the boat and also noted that government is planning to bring two ferries that will connect and ease transport to and from Bwama Island.
“I would like to mention that government has pledged to bring two ferries that will ease transportation. We anticipate that the ferries will be built by January 2022. However, while we wait, let us appreciate this great gift from URA and her partners,” added Bahati.