MASINDI, Uganda — Thirty solar-powered lighting units were officially commissioned at the Police National Training School in Kabalye, marking a significant infrastructure upgrade for the Uganda Police Force’s largest training facility. The installation, valued at approximately 100 million Ugandan shillings, was handed over by Stanbic Bank Uganda in a ceremony aimed at rectifying long-standing visibility issues on the expansive campus.
For several years, operational capacity at the facility was hindered by insufficient illumination, creating bottlenecks for evening instructional sessions. The lack of adequate lighting constrained learning schedules for thousands of recruits stationed at the Masindi District facility and introduced security vulnerabilities during night hours. The newly deployed system is designed to enhance visibility across the grounds, facilitating safer movement for personnel and enabling more effective supervision during night operations.
Corporate Support for National Institutions
Mumba Kenneth Kalifungwa, the Chief Executive of Stanbic Bank Uganda, presided over the handover ceremony. He stated that the intervention was driven by a strategic necessity to support critical national institutions with sustainable solutions. According to Kalifungwa, reliable infrastructure is a prerequisite for maintaining a safe and conducive training environment, particularly given the scale of the Kabalye facility.
“This initiative reflects our continued commitment to supporting key national institutions that underpin Uganda’s stability and economic growth,” Kalifungwa said. “Reliable lighting is essential to ensuring a safe and conducive training environment, particularly for a facility of this scale.”
The donation coincides with Stanbic Bank’s 35th anniversary of operations in Uganda. As part of the Standard Bank Group, the institution framed the project within its broader Positive Impact Agenda. This strategic framework focuses on five specific pillars: financial inclusion, job creation, infrastructure development, climate resilience, and corporate philanthropy. The solar lighting project falls under the infrastructure and philanthropy components of this agenda.
During his address, the bank CEO outlined further financial commitments aligned with the institution’s purpose statement, “Uganda is our home, we drive her growth.” Kalifungwa disclosed that the bank has earmarked funds totaling up to 1 trillion Ugandan shillings to harness socio-economic transformation. He specified that these resources are targeted especially toward women, youth, and farmers.
Police Command Welcomes Infrastructure Upgrade
Dr. Kamya John, the Senior Commissioner of Police, attended the event as the representative of Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba. In his remarks, Dr. Kamya emphasized that the improved lighting would have a direct correlation with training outcomes and overall security posture at the school.
In a statement read on his behalf, Inspector General Byakagaba noted that the support would significantly improve the welfare and training environment of officers. He highlighted that strengthening security within the school during night hours is a critical component of building a more professional and responsive police force.
“Collaborations of this nature are critical in our efforts to build a more professional and responsive police force,” Byakagaba said.
Long-Term Infrastructure Targets
The installation of the initial 30 units is part of a broader infrastructure plan by the police administration. Officials have outlined a target to install more than 200 solar lighting units across the training school in the long term. This expansion aims to fully illuminate the campus to meet the demands of modern law enforcement training.
The Police National Training School Kabalye was established by the Ugandan government in 2005. The facility was created to address key national needs, including the expansion of training capacity to match rising population and security demands. Its mandate includes improving professionalism through better discipline, ethics, and modern policing standards, as well as decentralizing training to reduce congestion in other centers. The school supports both basic and specialized training modules for law enforcement personnel.
Administration at the training school has set a target to install more than 200 units across the campus in the long term.
