A quiet but significant transformation is taking place in Kilulu B village in Mbale, powered not by government projects or major infrastructure investments, but by solar energy.
At the centre of this change are Simon Malenje, the LC I chairperson, and Grace Kayegi, director of Good Journey Nursery and Primary School.
Together, they are working to improve access to education for more than 300 children, many of whom come from low-income households or orphaned backgrounds.
Their goal is straightforward: ensuring that no child is denied an education because of difficult circumstances.
Founded in 2016, Good Journey Nursery and Primary School quickly became an important learning centre for children in the area. However, unreliable electricity supply remained a major challenge.
The school experienced power outages several times a week, with some blackouts lasting more than six hours. The interruptions affected evening study sessions, morning preparation classes and plans to establish a boarding section.
According to Kayegi, the unstable electricity supply disrupted learning and affected enrolment.
“The unreliable power supply affected study schedules and forced some learners to leave school earlier than expected. Our Primary Seven candidates were particularly affected because they had limited time to revise for examinations,” she said.
As preparations for the 2025 Primary Leaving Examinations intensified, school administrators began searching for a dependable alternative. Traditional lighting options such as candles and kerosene lamps were costly and posed safety and health risks.
The solution came through solar energy.
Malenje invested in a solar system supplied by Sun King, one of Uganda’s leading solar energy companies.
Through a discounted arrangement, the school acquired the Home Plus Pro solar system, equipped with energy-efficient lights and a long-lasting battery capable of providing power throughout the night.
The system was installed only weeks before national examinations and immediately improved the learning environment.
Pupils could now study consistently in the evenings and attend early morning preparation sessions without interruptions caused by power cuts.
The investment was supported through the Results-Based Financing (RBF) Programme, a partnership involving Equity Bank Uganda, Energising Development (EnDev) Uganda and GIZ.
The programme provides incentives to solar companies, enabling schools, households and small businesses to access quality renewable energy products at more affordable prices.
By reducing the cost of acquiring solar systems, the initiative is helping expand access to clean energy in communities where reliable electricity remains limited.
The benefits at Good Journey Nursery and Primary School have been noticeable within a year.
School enrolment increased from 250 to 310 pupils. Revenue rose from Shs3.5 million to Shs5 million per term. Study hours increased because learners could attend both morning and evening revision sessions, while additional teachers were recruited to accommodate the growing student population.
Malenje said the improved lighting had created better learning conditions and boosted confidence among parents and learners.
“With reliable lighting, our candidates have more time to study and prepare for examinations. Better performance attracts more learners, which enables us to employ more teachers and create jobs. As village chairman, I am proud that children who might otherwise be idle now have an opportunity to build a better future,” he said.
Beyond improving education, solar energy has enhanced safety, strengthened livelihoods and renewed confidence in the role of education as a pathway out of poverty.
Encouraged by the results, Malenje plans to expand the solar installation to power the entire school, including teachers’ accommodation and a proposed boarding section.
His long-term vision also includes installing a solar-powered water pumping system to provide clean water for both the school and the surrounding community.
If realised, these plans could transform Good Journey Nursery and Primary School into a fully equipped educational hub serving Kilulu B and neighbouring villages.
The experience of the school highlights how renewable energy can drive development in rural communities where conventional infrastructure remains inadequate.
In Kilulu B, solar power is doing more than providing electricity. It is creating opportunities, supporting education and helping shape a brighter future for hundreds of children.
As evening falls over the hills of Mbale, the light shining from the school’s classrooms stands as a symbol of hope and progress for the community.
