DPF INSTALLS SOLAR SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT THREE SCHOOLS IN WEST NILE REGION

The dedication plague at Lutukua primary school.
 
By Onzoma Albert
Arua City
 
The Deposit Protection Fund of Uganda (DPF) has undertaken a corporate social responsibility initiative to enhance educational facilities in the West Nile region by installing solar energy systems at three schools: Lukutua Primary School in Yumbe district, Pacego Primary School in Packwach district, and Massio Hill Vocational Institute in Terego district.
 
 
According to Patrick Ezaga, the director of communications of deposit protection fund of Uganda who at deposit protection fund Uganda who, represented CEO during the commissioning ceremony, the project aims to improve community livelihoods, support sustainable development, and increase awareness of the Fund's mandate among beneficiary communities.
 
 
“The motivation for this intervention is primarily to contribute academic performance in the region because year in year out the statistics speak for themselves because the region is lacking behind compared to other regions when it comes to academic performance that’s why deposit protection fund of Uganda felt in its wisdom in however small a way we can make a substantial contributing in the education sector in the region” he said.
 
The solar installations, valued at 24 million UGX for Lukutua, 16 for million Massio Hill Vocational Institute and 16 million for Pacego primary school, feature 2,700-watt panels, 39 bulbs, 12 hours of security lighting, and facilities for charging laptops and phones, thus providing reliable lighting and power, especially during evening hours.
 
Local officials and school representatives expressed their appreciation, emphasizing how the solar systems create a more conducive learning environment.
 
For instance, the head teacher of Lukutua Primary School, Amana Angucia Mundua, stated that the project enables pupils, including pupils and students from nearby schools, to study after sunset, thereby supporting their academic performance.
 
“Before deposit protection came to our aid we have been experiencing power irregularities in the school the mighty project that has reached to us today I believe the tears we used to shed due to unreliable power in the school will be cleared away, I want to say by giving power you have rescued us from far miles away from what we did not expect” she said.
 
The newly installed solar panels on the roof of a classroom block at Lutukua primary school.
 
According to Olega Swali Musa Amin, the inspector of schools in Yumbe district also highlighted the importance of protecting the solar equipment against vandalism.
 
“The solar panels are now here as parents what are we going to do to make sure our well established solar systems are not vandalized it is our role as parents to protect the facility I want to urge us to go home after here and sanitize our community members and own this facility” he said.
 
Additionally, pupils and students praised the initiative for its potential to boost their academic achievements.
 
 “I want to thank and appreciate DPF for the initiative the solar panels will help us during night hours during our evening preps and studies because we used to suffer when we were still using electricity alone when it goes off, now if the electricity goes off we shall use the solar system and we shall not suffer” he said.
 
Beyond the tangible benefits, the project seeks to raise awareness of the Deposit Protection Fund’s role in social development and foster community engagement with financial and infrastructural improvements.
 
The initiative includes a 12-month maintenance and servicing guarantee after installation, ensuring the sustainability of the solar systems.
 
This project epitomizes DPF’s commitment to social responsibility, community development, and promoting accessible, reliable energy solutions in Uganda’s rural areas.