KCCA TO ESTABLISH COMMUNITY CENTERS AT PARISH LEVEL

In line with the Parish Development Model strategy, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is to establish community centers at parish levels to be used by the communities for developmental activities.

The Parish Development Model is the last mile strategy for service delivery by Government of Uganda for improving incomes and welfare of all Ugandans at the household level.

According to the KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, the community centers will be used for community dialogues, meetings, sensitizations and relaxation.

Kisaka said this during the (Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) Day celebrations that were held at Mulago School of the Deaf.

“We are going to establish community centers at Parish level where people can go read and do any other activities without being charged. It is something we are thinking about and will engage government to support us,” Kisaka said.

He commended the organizers of DEAR Day which was marked under the theme “Imagine Reading as a Way of Life”

“On this dear day let's make reading as a way of life, by building facilities in our communities to enable our children in whichever way they are abled, be able to read,”

With KCCA currently championing the Smart City, Kisaka said improving reading will help the city achieve its aim of being a smart city.

The DEAR day event was graced by the US Ambassador to Uganda Natalie Brown who rallied Ugandans to embrace reading in order to improve on their literacy.

“This is a call to everyone to make reading as part of their life. Reading improves critical thinking, vocabulary, ways of life, communication skills, and decision making,” Brown said.

She noted that education is a great tool to transform the country and thus should be supported by all stakeholders.

Brown also read books for the children, she read a story called Bark George and another story from a book title Change Sings. She was helped by sign language interpreters.

The Rotary Governor for District 913, Mike Sebalu said Rotary is committed to addressing the gaps in basic education like through retooling teachers, providing reading materials among others.

This year Rotary will concentrate on life changing program called Basic Education and Literacy Enhancing program.

“We need to empower young generation by creating a culture of reading and by supporting education we aiding the government on its goal of delivering universal education,” Sebalu said.

Sebalu revealed that 80 Rotary clubs across the country are dealing with schools and are doing it in 200 schools.

“With basic education we will not leave you to walk alone. As rotary this year we want to see literacy levels increasing. The fight against literacy begins with you,” Sebalu said.

During the celebrations learners from Mulago School of the Deaf who are Hearing Impaired presented songs, danced, recited poems and read stories for their guests using their visual language.

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