A total of Shs 205 million was raised in both cash and pledges during the fundraising ceremony held on Saturday, at St. Gertrude’s Girls’ Vocational Secondary School Mutolere. The fundraising was geared towards the construction of a two storeyed classroom block in order to create learning environment for the increased number of students in the school.
St. Gertrude’s Girls’ Vocational Secondary School Mutolere was established in 1981 by Rev. Fr. George Kigambiroha who was the then Parish Priest of Mutolere Parish and Juliana Mundere as its first head teacher. The school is now under the stewardship of the Sister of our Lady of Good Counsel with Sr. Flavia Ainembabazi as its head teacher.
While preaching during Mass that was presided over by Rev. Fr. Zeno Mbishinzimana, chaplain of St. Ignatius University Kabale (IGUKA), Rev. Fr. Christmas Austen, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Good Shepherd Rushoroza Cathedral and Chairperson of the School Board of Governors, called on Christians to embrace generous and heartfelt giving as an act of gratitude to God and an investment in the future of both the Church and the nation.
He reminded the faithful that throughout history, believers have willingly supported the building of God’s temple, emphasizing that giving should be done joyfully and not reluctantly.
Fr. Austen urged Christians to give sincerely rather than for recognition, noting that true generosity flows from the heart. He illustrated this with a story of a man who promised to donate a chicken but later withheld it, highlighting how people often give what is convenient instead of making meaningful sacrifices.
Drawing inspiration from the Bible and recalling how King David rallied his people to contribute generously toward the construction of the temple of God, Fr. Austen noted that the people responded wholeheartedly, setting an example of unity and sacrifice that remains relevant today. “Just as the people of Israel gave willingly for the house of the Lord, we too are called to give generously for causes that uplift our communities,” he said.
He encouraged the congregation to give generously with love, sacrifice, and compassion, quoting Mother Teresa: “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into the giving.”
He further described support towards the school as a long-term investment, emphasizing the role of Church-founded institutions in shaping not only academic excellence but also character, values, and faith. “The children who pass through here are future leaders, for they will guide our communities, our Church, and our nation.”
The fundraising event was organized to support the construction of a modern two-storey classroom block aimed at addressing the school’s growing enrollment.
In her remarks, Sr. Flavia Ainembabazi stressed that the school has steadily expanded over the years and excelled in academic performance and now faces increasing demand for space to accommodate more learners. She said that the new facility will not only ease the challenge of congestion but also improve the learning environment and enhance academic performance.
Dr. Pius Bigirimana, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Judiciary, who was the Guest of Honor for the day thanked his boss the Chief Justice for gracing the function and contributing generously towards the fundraising ceremony.
He reminded the students that the future lied in their hands and that he was impressed with the current performance of the school especially in UACE 2025 which saw one, Queen Kusasira Sherry, who scored 20 points in MEG/ICT rewarded with Shs 1 million annually throughout her university studies as a motivation to other students to work hard and earn similar or more rewards. He described her as a shining example of what can be achieved through focus and hard work.
He also announced plans to establish a scholarship fund targeting top-performing students at different academic levels. Under the initiative, outstanding students transitioning from Senior Four to Senior Five will receive Shs 500,000 annually, with continued support through Senior Six and Shs 1 million in the University.
He noted that the pledge is part of a broader initiative to uplift bright students, especially girls, by easing financial barriers and encouraging them to pursue higher education.
Speaking at the same fundraising ceremony, the Chief Justice of Uganda, Dr Flavian Zeija, challenged students to embrace discipline, hard work, and long-term focus as key pillars for success in life.
He reflected on his personal journey, revealing that he once served as a head prefect and never imagined rising to the highest level of the judiciary. He encouraged learners to understand that the future is shaped by deliberate choices, not chance.
Quoting Aristotle the great philosopher, the Chief Justice reminded students that “the roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet” emphasizing that academic success requires sacrifice, persistence, and resilience. “The future is not accidental; it is by design,” said Dr. Zeija, urging students to prioritize their studies over short-term pleasures in order to achieve long-term goals.