Our Mission
Our Christ-centered Mission is:
- To provide quality education opportunities to the students in Rubuguri so they may become effective leaders in their families, community, and country while reducing poverty in the community.
- To promote the wellbeing of the students and teachers by providing them with a safe and comfortable learning environment.
- To build a first-class education facility where students of all backgrounds can prepare to reach their full potential.
- To enhance the resources available in the local community to sustain their efforts towards a better way of life for all.
- To work hand in hand with the residents to identify and meet their needs through sustainable strategies and partnerships.
- To partner with churches, local organizations, government agencies and individuals committed to bringing about positive change in the community.
- To create awareness of the needs and potential of the children and residents in the community
- To bridge the technological digital divide by providing computers and Internet access.
Our Vision
- It is our hope that one day, the students at St. Kizito’s will become researchers, doctors, nurses, educators, politicians, entrepreneurs, parents, and individuals that take on the challenges of our planet and come up with cures.
- Every child has potential that can be nurtured and developed in the right setting, with proper guidance. Through faithful work and collaborative partnerships, such an environment will be created and sustained.
- Parents and members of the community will learn from the children and make strides towards individual and community improvement and empowerment.
- Sustainable efforts will continue to evolve through community assessments and resident leadership.
- Visitors to the area will recognize the work being done at St. Kizito Rubuguri Primary School and share our story with the world.
2025 Building Fund & Computer Lab
$25.00
We completed our 2024 Staff Offices & Library project.
Please consider donating to add
more classrooms to our school.
FINISHED PROJECTS 2023
Classroom Upgrades
First finished classroom building
Old Classrooms
BEFORE
(DIRT FLOORS)
New Classrooms
AFTER
(CEMENT FLOORS)
ROSARY DONATIONS
DONATE A ROSARY AND OR PRAYER CARDS
We are accepting rosary and prayer cards to spread the word to the people of Uganda. You can mail any donations to the address located on our contact page or donate any amount and 100% of your donation will go to purchase rosaries and prayer cards. We also accept $ donations for Bibles.
ROTARY WASH PROJECT 2025
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Rotary Clubs of Mbarara and Tulare, California, USA invest Over UGX 400M ($131,000) to Boost Sanitation in schools near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park*
The Rotary Club of Mbarara in partnership with the Rotary Club of Tulare, California, USA has committed UGX 402,765,800 ($131,208) to enhance sanitation and hygiene in Rubuguri Town
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Rotary Clubs of Mbarara and Tulare, California, USA invest Over UGX 400M ($131,000) to Boost Sanitation in schools near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park*
The Rotary Club of Mbarara in partnership with the Rotary Club of Tulare, California, USA has committed UGX 402,765,800 ($131,208) to enhance sanitation and hygiene in Rubuguri Town Council, Kisoro District, through a Rotary Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project. Launched on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at St. Kizito Rubuguri Primary School, the one-year initiative, contracted to Forward Investment Limited, will benefit seven primary and secondary schools in Bukimbiri County near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
The beneficiary schools—St. Joseph Rubuguri Vocational Secondary School, Iryaruvumba Secondary School, Kashaka Primary School, Gisharu Primary School, St. Kizito Rubuguri Primary School, and St. Peter’s Primary School—will receive five-stance latrines and incinerators for disposing of used sanitary pads. Iryaruvumba Primary School, Iryaruvumba Secondary School and St. Kizito Rubuguri Primary School will receive water harvesting tanks. St. Kizito Rubuguri Primary School and St. Joseph Rubugurui Vocational Secondary Schoolwill also receive solar power systems as both schools have day and boarding students. Additionally, a four-stance water-borne toilet and a water harvesting tank will be constructed at Rubuguri Catholic Parish to recognize the church’s role in promoting education and health.
Rotarian Ismail Mitooma, representing the Mbarara Rotary Club, emphasized their dedication to community development in partnership with the government. “As Rotarians, we focus on seven key areas: environment, education, maternal and child health, water and sanitation, disease prevention, conflict resolution, and community development,” Mi
Rotarian Ismail Mitooma, representing the Mbarara Rotary Club, emphasized their dedication to community development in partnership with the government. “As Rotarians, we focus on seven key areas: environment, education, maternal and child health, water and sanitation, disease prevention, conflict resolution, and community development,” Mitooma said. He urged the contractor to deliver high-quality work on time as per the signed MOU and called on parents to assist with voluntary labor. “We appeal to parents to cooperate by helping transport materials to hilly sites where vehicles cannot reach,” he added.
Rotarian Ron Smith of the Tulare Rotary Club came up with the project concept with his wife Sandy during multiple visits to Rubuguri. They believe that by focusing on hygiene behavior byimproving sanitation facilities, and providing education and training, this initiative will be the starting point for campus improvements that will transcend the campus environment to the home environment. Additionally, the overall project will help the schools get closer to meeting Ugandan and international WASH standards. He hopes that this is the first of many Rotary projects in this community. Ron thanks Doug Brown, past District 5230 Grants Chair, for his support and guidance over the past two years as this project would not have come to fruition without his assistance.
Turinimana Julius, the contractor from Forward Investment Limited, pledged swift action. “We will start the work immediately and are committed to delivering excellent results within less than one year,” Julius stated, ensuring timely completion of the project.
Alex Mushime, president of the Rotary Club of Mgahinga Kisoro, accompanied Mitooma and highlighted the learning opportunity. “We are gaining valuable insights from the Mbarara Rotary Club to improve our own community service efforts,” Mushime said.
Rev. Fr. Nestorio Niwagaba, Rubuguri Catholic Parish priest, shared the project’s origins.
Alex Mushime, president of the Rotary Club of Mgahinga Kisoro, accompanied Mitooma and highlighted the learning opportunity. “We are gaining valuable insights from the Mbarara Rotary Club to improve our own community service efforts,” Mushime said.
Rev. Fr. Nestorio Niwagaba, Rubuguri Catholic Parish priest, shared the project’s origins. “This WASH project was initiated by an American couple, Ron and Sandy Smith, who first approached the Rotary Club of Kabale. After delays, Mbarara took up the proposal, and we are deeply grateful for this transformative initiative,” he said.
Local leaders and residents expressed enthusiasm for the project. Baking Cypriano, LC1 chairperson of Gashija Cell and chairperson of St. Joseph Rubuguri Vocational Secondary School, noted past challenges in funding sanitation facilities. “We’ve been mobilizing parents to contribute, but resources were limited. The Rotary Club’s intervention is timely and will greatly support our schools and the government’s efforts,” Cypriano said.
Silvia Mpano, headteacher of St. Joseph Rubuguri Vocational Secondary School, which serves over 400 students, expressed relief at the project’s impact. “With only two latrines currently, this support is a game-changer. We’re planning to introduce A-level classes next year, and with growing enrollment, these new facilities are critical,” Mpano said.
The Rotary WASH Project is set to significantly improve sanitation and hygiene, bolstering education and community health in Rubuguri Town Council.
In addition to funding provided by the Rotary Club of Mbarara and the Tulare Rotary Club, funds were provided by Carmel-by-the-Sea Rotary Club, Rotary Districts 5230 and 9214, and the Rotary Foundation.
Saint Kizito
Saint Kizito (1872 – June 3, 1886) was one of the Martyrs of Uganda and the youngest martyr slain by the King Mwanga II of Buganda. He was baptized on 25/26 May 1886, by Charles Lwanga, the leader of Uganda's Christian community at the time, at Munyonyo, and burned alive on 3 June 1886 in Namugongo. He was canonized on 18 October 1964 by Pope Paul VI in Rome. His feast day is on June 3rd. He is considered as the patron saint of children and primary schools.[1]