The National Social Security Fund (NSSF), together with Kampala Capital City Authority and Kampala Hash House Harriers, have today launched the second edition of the NSSF Kampala Hash Seven Hills Run aimed at raising shs200 Million to renovate public schools in Kampala.
The run will be held on March 12, 2017 starting at Pearl Africa Primary School, Nsambya. It will cover a distance of 21km, traversing the historical seven hills of Kampala – Nakasero, Kibuli, Old Kampala, Namirembe, Rubaga, Lubiri and Nsambya.
Launching the run at Makerere Primary school in Kampala, NSSF Managing Director Richard Byarugaba said that it is a continuation of a partnership with KCCA to mobilise corporate companies in Uganda to raise funds that will ultimately improve learning conditions in government aided schools under the management of KCCA.
“For many public primary schools in Kampala, the conditions are somewhat worrying. Through this initiative, which is part of the Fund’s Corporate Social Responsibility agenda to support education of the underprivileged in our society, we will support KCCA efforts to provide a quality learning environment for thousands of children”, Byarugaba said.
He added that proceeds from the run will go towards renovation of 3 primary schools, namely; Makerere primary school, Summit View army Primary school, and completion of works at Nakivubo Settlement Primary School.
“Last year, we raised about Shs65 million and we were able to renovate Nakivubo Settlement Primary School and construction of a water facility at St. Ponsiano Kyamula Primary School. This year, our target is to raise Shs 200 million. This is a worthy cause and it is appropriate that companies doing business in Kampala should join us to aid Kampala schools,” he said.
The KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi said that most of the 79 Government Grant Aided Primary Schools in the City with a total enrollment of close to 70,000 pupils, have facilities, with nearly 90% of the schools requiring total refurbishment.
“We still have six primary schools which have asbestos sheets in some of the school building that need immediate replacement but with the current allocation of about Shs500 Million, KCCA can only afford to refurbish one school every year. On top of this, there is now enormous pressure on KCCA to finance land compensation for schools sitting on land owned by private individuals.”
“With support from partners such as NSSF, we are confident that we will be able to improve all our schools and provide our children with the best learning environment which they deserve”, she said.
The Kampala Hash House Harriers Master, Paul Agaba said that the run will be bigger and better compared to last year.
“We expect about 1,000 runners to participate. The Kampala 7 hills run is a challenge that we are proud to associate with to contribute towards a worthy cause. The NSSF Kampala Seven Hills Run stands alongside other major runs in the country, and we will continue with our partners and sponsors to organize a bigger and better edition,” he said.
Over 10 companies are already on board including Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Uganda Registration Services Bureau, Bank of Uganda, Capital Markets Authority, Housing Finance Bank, Monitor Publications, Galaxy FM, Umeme Limited among others.
NSSF has in the past years engaged in a number of social responsible projects like Torch Awards and the recent countrywide blood donation drive which collected over 3,750 units from staff, members of the Fund and the general public.