In the quiet village of Kabatende, surrounded by the rolling hills of Mubende District, stands Kabatende Primary School. About 10 kilometers from Mubende Town, this government school faces many of the same challenges other schools do. One of the biggest being the lack of a proper library. While the school is lucky to have a good number of books, they are crammed into the P.1 classroom, where students compete for space with the stacks of reading materials.
Things began to change when Natukunda Justine became the headteacher less than a year ago. She quickly realised that her job wasn’t just about running the school—it was about building a motivated team, winning back the community’s trust, and bringing parents closer to their children’s education.
Justine also got in contact with STiR Education, an organisation that works to build intrinsic motivation among educators. Through STiR’s programs, she gained new insights into leadership and strategies to mobilise her teachers and the community more effectively. The organisation provided her with resources, mentorship, and a platform to share her vision. With their guidance, she strengthened her team of teachers, who then played a key role in engaging the community.
One of the first things Justine took on was the dream of building a library for the school. She believed the parents and the community could play a key role in making it happen. With this vision, she launched a fundraising campaign, involving parents, local business owners, community leaders, and even politicians. She reached out to charitable organisations and individuals willing to lend a helping hand.
Justine didn’t just stop at starting the campaign. She made it a personal mission to tell every visitor about her plan. During parents’ meetings, she spoke passionately about how a library could change the way children learn. She also organised training sessions to empower her teachers to lead home visits, where they shared the school’s vision and inspired parents to contribute in any way they could.
Her efforts paid off. The community came together, contributing money and materials for the project. Former students, shop owners, and local leaders all joined in. Their collective efforts, combined with the skills and strategies, have already brought the library building to the beam level, and there’s hope it will reach the roofing stage by the end of the year.
For Justine, this library isn’t just about storing books. She imagines it as a space where students can explore reading on their own, participate in storytelling sessions, and work on projects that spark their curiosity. Even though the library isn’t fully complete yet, it’s already becoming a safe and inviting space for students who love to learn.
Justine’s leadership hasn’t just brought a physical transformation to Kabatende Primary School. It’s inspired the entire community. Through her dedication to education, she has shown her students, teachers, and the village what can be achieved when people come together with a shared goal.
Natukunda Justine is proof that great leadership can create meaningful change in a short time. Her passion and determination have not only given Kabatende Primary School a new sense of hope but have also inspired everyone around her to dream bigger for the future.
