MASINDI – Hon. Balaam, has today made a historic visit to Kamurasi Demonstration Primary School, one of Bunyoro’s most iconic model schools named after the great Omukama Kamurasi of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom.
Located on Kamurasi Road on the outskirts of Masindi town, a major urban centre in Western Uganda, the school is listed among the oldest demonstration schools in the district and currently hosts around 800 pupils, with 73 children living with mental and physical impairment.
Hon. Balaam came to check on what the engineers who received Government money for renovations have actually done. Renovations are currently ongoing, but the school is among five schools in Masindi Municipality – Biizi, Kyema, Kamurasi, Nyamigisa Boys and Kabalega Primary – whose structures were condemned years ago by engineers as unfit and risky for learners.
The Secretary for Education at Masindi Municipal Council, Betty Kyomuhendo, has previously acknowledged that “it is very risky” to continue teaching children in such structures, noting that the Municipality only receives between Shs100 million and Shs110 million annually plus iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister, which is “just a drop in the ocean.”
The council had planned that after Kyema Primary School, Kamurasi would follow next year for full renovation. Hon. Balaam said that timeline must be fast-tracked and every shilling accounted for.
Hon. Balaam interacted with the school administration and pupils and promised to bring the school back to its glory.
“This is the King’s school and it should be protected. This school carries the name of Omukama Kamurasi, the pride of Bunyoro. We shall restore it to its former glory,” Hon. Balaam said.
Kamurasi Demonstration School, established as a model school attached to Kamurasi Primary Teachers College (PTC), has for decades served as a centre of excellence for teacher training and inclusive education in Bunyoro.
The Minister also inspected the condition of the toilets and found them inadequate for the large population, especially for learners with special needs.
He directed the Mayor to immediately budget and ensure modern toilets with provision of water are built quickly to improve hygiene and dignity of learners.
This directive follows similar actions across the country where Hon. Balaam has closed schools operating without functional toilets despite receiving capitation grants.
Hon. Balaam thanked the school for taking care of persons with disabilities and providing special care, describing it as a national model.
According to records, Kamurasi Primary School takes a dual approach, tackling both discrimination and learning difficulties. It offers specialist education such as braille and sign language, vocational training to provide life-enhancing skills and a standard curriculum-based education.
The school advocates integrated teaching with disabled children learning alongside their able-bodied compatriots. The spirit of co-operation that exists between the two groups is a positive indicator for the future, making it one of the few truly inclusive schools in Western Uganda.
Hon. Balaam said Government will support the expansion of such inclusive education and ensure capitation and special needs grants reach the school.
