END OF TERM 1 REPORT
30 APRIL 2026
Dear beloved community of Mother Mary Primary School. I hereby present to you the End of Term I Report, once again urgin each and all to do our part to make our school a beacon of light and hope in our community and country.
1. BOYS' DORMITORY
This is the most pressing big demand on our radar. We built a girls' second dormitory last year, sensing a significant raise in enrollment this year. We startedthe term with 411 students, 324 of whom are boarders. The boys' dormitory remains too congested. If all goes well, we would like to start the dormitory construction before the end of this year.
2. SECURITY CAMERAS
Last year, having security cameras on any school campus was seen as a social status symbol. Following the recent unfortunate first ever school shootings in Uganda at Ggaba Daycare Centre, where four infants were killed and many injured, cameras are a screaming necessity. The Ministry of Education and our local DEO are urging school administrators to install cameras on their campuses. I suspect that the recent migration of our LCV Chariman (Governor) to another school was due to fear of his children's security. It's a tremendous loss to no longer have our Governor's family in our school community. We risk losing more families from his circle, especially his staff and other district officials.
We installed only one camera at the dining hall, never imagining that a crime of such magnitude would ever happen in our country. The camera cost us 650,000 shillings (US $186). Management assess that we need at least ten cameras around the campus.
3. FENCING THE SCHOOL PROPERTY
This is also a major security concern, We have caught young men infiltrating campus to steal our sugarcanes, while others have been found in the surrounding bushes, smoking marijuana. We cleared the bush but this is a temporary solution. Recall the intruder who entered the school premises via the banana plantation? Thank God he was spotted before doing any harm. He was followed by on of our guards and escaped through the main gate, barely brushing off the other security man. The security chanin-link we bought in August 2025 is still in storage unused due to budget constraints.
4. COMPUTERS
Since the school started in 2020, administration has been sharing the only two PCs which were bought second hand. Last week I was informed that the secretary's computer gave in when most needed, to print parents' end of term newsletters. She has since been sharing the equally ailing treasurer's PC. Moreover, there are no computers in the offices of the head teacher, the bursar, the dean and even the executive director. We need at the very minimum five computers. We definitely must get one for the secretary before next term begins on 22 May. Refurbished computers range between 700,000-2,500,000 shillings (US $200-$715), while medium-rated new ones start from 5,000,000 shillings (US $1,430).
5. SOLAR LIGHTING
It is futile continuing to rely on UEDCL, our sole national electricity company. Besides the frequent outages that pause security concerns and tamper with academics, the corrupt system makes the bills prohibitive. Thanks to the School Management Committee (SMC) recommendation, we installed one solar panel last year, at 11,000,000 shillings for the entire project. We need seven more panels at an estimated cost of 77,000,000 shillings (US $22,000) for all the buildings.
6. WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
In March we completed the two-in-one, rainwater harvesting and solar-powered water supply systems. Reliance on NWSC was draining our budget even though plagued by frequent dry spells. We had several occasions of emergency, hiring water trucks to haul water from Mpanga river.
Unfortunately, it didn't take long after the inauguration of our supply systems that we noticed their serious deficiency, thanks to our inexperienced local water engineers. Demand is greater than supply. The well water isn't enough for the whole school. It takes six days for the well to refill and rainwater is seasonal. Plan B was to pump water from the pond using our generator. The current petrol prices have hit our budget hard. Moreover, the untreated pond water has a stench and is colored green. I have sent an inquiry to the water technician in Mbarara to give us an estimate on the cost of water treatment. Thank God the children are away for but only three weeks. Parents' complaint about our water quality on VD was justified.
7. INTERNET
Since the beginning of the school, administration has requested internet services. No school in today's world can operate competitively without this technology. MTN and AIRTELL modem/routers range from 750,000 shillings (US $215). MTN technicians toured our campus and recommended that we would be well served by three modem units (2,250,000 shillings or US $650).
8. WEBSITE
We started building the school website in February 2025. We gave a deposit of 700,000 shillings to a technician. He didn't follow through the project in time; the website hosting company closed our account. We incurred a loss since preliminary work done was paid for. We have to start from zero. If you know a trustworthy technician, refer them to us. This time we must issue a formal contract for the job, rather than a gentleman's informal handshake contract.
9. DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
Until March 2025, the director had no office. Now that it was annexed as an after-thought to the new classroom block, it remains unfurnished. Furnishing is estimated at 3,800,000-4,200,000 shillings (US $1,100-$1,200). We cannot continue carrying chairs back and forth from the head teacher's office for the director's regular meetings. Truth be said, it was embarrassing when our good friends from Centenary Bank paid a surprise visit to the director in February.
10. FEE DEFAULTERS
The school operates on a budget generated from school fees. Every year, we are challenged by parents who default on fee payments, ranging in tens of millions of shillings. The 2025 school year closed with 22,000,000 shillings (USD $6,300) in default. The school board has consistently addressed this matter in view of finding a solution. We have learnt that this is a nationwide challenge. Defaulters have been known to transfer their children from on school to another, leaving a trail of unpaid debts. The school board has resolved that effective next term, the school administration will not issue academic report cards to children of defaulting parents.
11. THE BRIGHT SIDE
We have a committed staff and committees determined to keep looking forward and finding solutions. We have a community that immensely loves the school. Our children continue to encourage us especially by their good PLE (end of elementary school national exams) results that continue to put our infant school on the map of Uganda. May we do our part to maintain this status.
12. YOUR DONATION TOWARDS THIS NOBLE CAUSE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED
To donate an item or towards one, please indicate the item number and text or call me at 512.627.7922. You may also email me at: izzynd50@gmail.com.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR A CHILD'S TUITION
You'll get a photo with a story about the child.
Choose whether you want to sponsor a child from Pre-K to Seventh grade
Choose if you prefer to sponsor a male to femaile.
To sponsor a Boarder, it costs $45 a month
To sponsor a Day scholar, it costs $35 a month
a) FOR TAX CREDIT ON YOUR DONATION, MAIL A CHECK TO:
ST. JUDE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Attn: Fr. Samuel Musimenta
1025 Masonic Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94117
Fr. Samuel Musimenta will send you a letter of acknowledgement and for tax deduction.
He will deliver your donation to Mother Mary Primary School, Uganda.
b) TO DONATE DIRECTLY, WITHOUT TAX CREDIT, MAIL THE CHECK TO:
Isidore Ndagizimana
14833 Jacks Pond Rd
Austin, TX 78728
OR
Wire fund directly to the bank
WELLS FARGO BANK
Acct name: Isidore Ndagizimana
Acct #: 1166271310
Routing number: 111900659
FOR: MOTHER MARY PRIMARY SCHOOL
For any other questions, please call, text or email me.
Phone: 512.627.7922
Email: izzynd50@gmail.com
With gratitude and wishing you God's blessings I remain;
Yours sincerely,
Fr. Isidore Ndagizimana
Executive Director