Africa-Press – Uganda. A young Ugandan leader, Derrick Kabuye, has been named among six global honourees under Rotary International’s People of Action: Champions of Tomorrow programme, in recognition of his work expanding access to quality education in rural communities.
Kabuye, a member of the Rotaract Club of Kampala South, was recognised for his role in the “Educate a Community” project, a long-term initiative that has transformed Nyakijumba Primary School in Kabale District into a model for resilient rural education.
Since 2019, Kabuye has worked with Rotary and Rotaract partners to address barriers to learning at the school, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to clean water, poor sanitation, and lack of menstrual hygiene support.
The initiative has also strengthened early childhood education and deepened community involvement in school activities.
As a result of these interventions, school enrolment has grown significantly, rising from 60 pupils in 2016 to more than 250 today.
The Early Childhood Development section now supports 121 learners, many of whom are demonstrating measurable progress in literacy and numeracy.
More than 500 children have also received menstrual hygiene education and support, improving attendance and retention, particularly among girls.
“Education can change the trajectory of a child’s life – and that of their entire family,” Kabuye said, noting that the project aimed to create a supportive environment where children can learn and grow.
He added that increased attendance, especially among girls, reflects the progress made through collective community effort.
Rotary honours six sustainable and scalable initiatives each year through its People of Action programme, recognising young leaders under the age of 30 who are driving impactful change in their communities.
This year’s honourees also include projects focused on expanding education access in India, promoting conflict resolution among youth in the Philippines, building communication skills among hearing-impaired and hearing youth in Colombia, advancing mental health awareness in the United States, and providing first aid training for young people in Italy.
Francesco Arezzo, President of Rotary International, said the awards highlight the importance of grassroots solutions to global challenges.
He noted that by leading projects that provide educational resources, foster personal development, and support community resilience, young leaders are helping to build more peaceful societies.
For more than a century, Rotary has supported community-driven initiatives worldwide, addressing issues ranging from health and education to economic development and environmental protection.
Through The Rotary Foundation, the organisation has awarded billions of dollars in funding to support sustainable projects across the globe.
Rotary connects a global network of more than 1.2 million volunteers across over 45,000 clubs, working to deliver lasting change in communities and advance humanitarian goals.
