The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda with financial support from Bread for World has supported the Batwa children at Our Lady of Annunciation primary school at Bugombwa in Bundibugyo with an additional dormitory building for the boys.
The building was officially launched on the 28th February 2025 by Reverend Father Andrew Isingoma who represented the Rt. Rev. Dr. Robert Muhiirwa, the Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese. In his remarks Father Isingoma who is also the Diocesan Education Officer, appreciated CCFU for the continuous support and for complementing the government and the Diocesan Education programmes.
During the event, Mrs. Barbra Babweteera Mutambi, the Executive Director of the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda appreciated the continuous collaboration with the different stakeholders such as the district local government of Bundibugyo, Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Obudingiya bwa Bwamba and the Our Lady of Annunciation Church at Bugombwa that has enabled CCFU’s education interventions for the Batwa to be successful. She particularly appreciated UWA for providing transport for the Batwa children whenever they are reporting to school or returning home for holidays. She added that new dormitory building was constructed to decongest the old dormitory building which the Foundation constructed in 2018. The new building is meant to accommodate more than 36 boys.
Mr. Simon Mugisa, the District Community Development Officer (DCDO) for Bundibugyo appreciated CCFU for supporting the Batwa but most importantly, for being consistent and transparent. He further appreciated the Foundation for involving and consulting relevant stakeholders whenever they are engaging with the Batwa community.
In addition to the DCDO’s remarks, Sr. Juliana Charik, the director of Our Lady of Annunciation primary school appreciated CCFU for its continued work for fighting for the Batwa whose education had been almost forgotten by the different actors. She however, requested for further support especially, for the Batwa who enroll for secondary schools.
The construction of the new dormitory building is part of CCFU’s long-term agenda to promote heritage education in Uganda whose main goal is to enhance the recognition of the importance of heritage in Uganda’s current development context. The programme recognises that one important way to promote cultural rights and heritage, and their essential role in Uganda’s contemporary development challenges and agenda, is to engage the young people including those from indigenous ethnic minority communities such as the Batwa.
