Tullow oil extends solar powered computers to Uganda schools

Government Schools located in the oil rich Uganda Albertine region have benefited from Tullow Uganda Operations Pty Ltd, a donation of solar powered computer laboratories and a total of 70 computer pieces.

The beneficiary schools include; Ndandamire Primary school, Buliisa Primary school, Kaiso Primary school and Kyehoro Primary school in Buliisa and Hoima Districts.

While addressing a gathering at the opening ceremony dubbed Project Kuha, at Kaiso Primary school, Jimmy Mugerwa, the Managing Director Tullow Uganda, urged locals to provide and equip the younger generation with the right tools and skills that will prepare them for life in the digital era.

“The time is now, not tomorrow, to look at how ICT can be incorporated in our schools. Let us inspire pupils to be curious and interested in careers in the ICT world at an early age, mainly because they are the next generation of computer scientists and professionals,” he said. He said to achieve this, there is need to render support and equip teachers to effectively teach ICT in schools.

Mr Mugerwa applauded the Tullow Alumni Group Uganda (TAGU) which trained 65 teachers in computer literacy and these will in turn pass on this knowledge to over 3,500 pupils who are set to benefit from the company’s corporate social investment initiative.

The initiative comes on the backdrop of a survey that indicated that majority of the schools surveyed in Buliisa and Hoima districts did not have any computing facilities for both administrative and teaching purposes, largely because they could not afford to buy the equipment.

He added that; the project seeks to provide an enabling environment for use of ICTs in rural primary schools by providing an enabling environment, thereby promoting ICT education from early childhood and facilitating the mode of education through provision of computers to the pupils.

The computer labs were fitted with solar panels to ensure a more efficient way for the schools to meet their energy needs by using renewable energy whilst benefiting from low cost, low energy internet and IT access. Kadiri Kirungi, the chairman for Hoima District, commended Tullow Oil for their spirit that he said will help in fostering ICT skills in Uganda.

“This initiative is very much in line with the development agenda of the oil and gas sector and the National Oil and Gas Policy which provides guidelines for the use of our oil and gas to contribute to poverty eradication and create lasting value to society,” he said.

Tullow Uganda has invested over $5million in infrastructure projects in the oil-rich Hoima and Buliisa districts to support in the areas of health and education as part of its corporate social investment program.