UPE school gets books thanks to TOTO Magazine story

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Kilowooza Church of Uganda Primary School, located in Mukono district, has received a consignment of over 150 books from the National Library in Kampala.

This was after TOTO Magazine published a story on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, about how Grace Bernice Apolot, the school’s assistant library prefect, had transformed the library.

The story caught the attention of the National Library, and they decided to support the school.

On Friday (April 25), they donated three boxes containing over 150 readers.



The handover event happened at the library premises and was attended by six pupils, their head teacher, Betty Asiro, literacy club patron Harriet Robinah Namajja and officials from the Africa Education and Leadership Initiative (Africa ELI), which supports the school's Literacy club.

While handing over the books, Adonia Katugisa, the assistant commissioner of library at the Ministry of Education and Sports, thanked New Vision for publishing human interest stories that impact the education sector.

Katugisa, who is also the former director of the National Library, said the library is mandated to keep whatever is written or documented and also ensure that Ugandans access and read it. That way, they help to improve the reading culture of Ugandans.

“We read that good article about Apolot and got concerned. We decided to appreciate the school that nurtured her,” he said. “We shall also visit this school during our inspection."

On her part, Asiro expressed gratitude saying; “These books are going to boost the children’s reading culture and confidence.”

Additionally, Africa ELI’s Veronica Matinyi, an advocate for inclusive practices in schools, and Martha Shakilo, a literacy mentor, said that visiting the National Library for the first time for these learners is a useful experience for them.

They were exposed to new things such as the library’s collections and serene environment. This alone inspires curiosity. The visit also opens up new opportunities for learning.

TOTO is a children’s magazine that comes out every Wednesday in the New Vision newspaper.

Apolot’s story as published in TOTO magazine.

I am in Primary four and I am the assistant library prefect. At first, I was very shy and would fear to speak out. But when I joined the Literacy club in our school last year, everything changed.

I became confident and developed a reading culture. My performance also improved.

Our patron teacher talked to us about taking up leadership positions. That is why I contested. Thank God, I won.

I chose this position because I used to feel bad when books got stolen from the library, because they were not recorded.

Last term, I asked for money from my parents and bought two black books.

In one, I register pupils who enter the library, and in the other, I register those who borrow the readers and textbooks.

I also made a schedule for pupils to visit the library to avoid overcrowding it. Some learners would make noise or steal the books.

Primary one to three visit during break time, primary four and five come at lunch time, while primary six and seven visit at 4:00 pm for 30 minutes.

I also made regulations. Bags of any kind are not allowed in the library. Noise-making is also prohibited.

I encourage all children to join literacy clubs. You will be mentored well. You will also develop a reading culture and leadership skills. If you don’t have this club in your school, talk to your teachers to start one and ensure to be a member.

We read books and learn to spell. We also learn to be disciplined, confident, and respectful leaders.