The Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES), marking a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness, first aid training, school health programs, and resilience-building initiatives within educational institutions across Uganda.
The official signing ceremony took place at the Ministry headquarters in Kampala and was attended by senior officials from both URCS and the Ministry. The MoU outlines key areas of collaboration including integration of first aid training into school programs, promotion of hygiene and sanitation, mental health and psychosocial support, climate change awareness, and strengthening school-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Robert Kwesiga, Secretary General of Uganda Red Cross Society, emphasized the importance of building resilient school communities:
“This partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports is a timely and strategic step toward ensuring that our children and educators are not only safe but also empowered with life-saving skills and knowledge. Through this collaboration, we hope to scale up first aid, hygiene, and disaster preparedness efforts within schools—laying a strong foundation for a safer, healthier future generation.”
On behalf of the Ministry, Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Permanent Secretary applauded the Uganda Red Cross Society for its consistent support to communities and institutions, especially during emergencies and in post-crisis recovery efforts:
“We recognize Uganda Red Cross as a key stakeholder in education service delivery, particularly in emergency response, psychosocial support, and health promotion. This MoU will enable both institutions to synergize efforts and deliver impactful, coordinated interventions for the wellbeing of learners and teachers.”
What the MoU Covers:
First Aid Training: Rolling out standardized first aid training for students, teachers, and non-teaching staff.
School Health Programs: Promoting menstrual hygiene, nutrition, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in schools.
Disaster Risk Reduction: Building the capacity of schools to prepare for and respond to natural and man-made hazards.
Climate Education: Integrating climate change adaptation and environmental conservation practices into school activities.
Psychosocial Support: Supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing, especially in schools affected by emergencies.
The MoU reinforces the URCS mandate as an auxiliary to public authorities in humanitarian service delivery, and affirms the shared commitment of both institutions to create safe learning environments for all Ugandan children.
As implementation begins, the Uganda Red Cross Society will work closely with district education offices, school administrators, and other stakeholders to roll out the agreed activities across selected schools, with a focus on the most vulnerable communities.