From Norway to Masaka: Lions Bring Solar-Powered Farming to Kyabbumba School

MASAKA, UGANDA — A new agricultural initiative at Kyabbumba Primary School is bringing together international Lions partners, renewable energy and practical education to expose pupils to modern and sustainable vegetable farming.

The initiative is being supported through a US$34,126 Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) grant, awarded to the Lions Club of Askøy, Norway, on 8 July 2025.

At the centre of the project is a greenhouse and a solar-powered, micro-irrigation vegetable demonstration garden. The facilities are designed to provide pupils with a practical environment in which to learn about vegetable production and sustainable farming practices.

The project is being implemented in partnership with Kyabbumba Primary School, with the participation of the Lions Clubs of Masaka, Masaka Greater and Masaka City.

From Classroom Lessons to Practical Skills

For pupils at Kyabbumba Primary School, agriculture will extend beyond classroom lessons and textbooks.

The greenhouse and demonstration garden will provide a practical learning environment where pupils can observe modern vegetable-growing techniques and understand how technology can be applied to agriculture.

The use of solar power to support micro-irrigation adds another important dimension to the initiative, demonstrating how renewable energy can be integrated into agricultural production.

The project combines controlled crop production, efficient water use and solar energy to demonstrate a more sustainable approach to vegetable farming.

An International Lions Partnership

The project demonstrates the international partnership behind Lions Clubs' community development work.

Resources from the Lions Club of Askøy in Norway, through the LCIF grant, are being combined with the participation of Lions Clubs based in Masaka and the local partnership of Kyabbumba Primary School.

The project was launched by Lead Donor PID Svein Berntsen and District Governor Tush Naturinda, marking an important milestone in the implementation of the initiative.

The involvement of the Lions Clubs of Masaka, Masaka Greater and Masaka City provides a local foundation for implementing and supporting the project at community level.

More Than a Greenhouse

Although the greenhouse and vegetable garden are the most visible components of the project, the initiative has a broader educational purpose.

The demonstration site provides an opportunity for pupils to learn through practical experience and understand how agricultural knowledge can be applied in everyday life.

The combination of greenhouse cultivation, solar energy and micro-irrigation also demonstrates how agricultural production can make more efficient use of water and energy resources.

The project creates a link between education and practical agricultural skills, giving pupils an opportunity to experience sustainable farming methods firsthand.

A Model for Sustainable Agriculture

The Kyabbumba initiative brings together education, agriculture, renewable energy and community service in a single school-based project.

By introducing pupils to greenhouse production, solar-powered irrigation and vegetable cultivation, the project provides a practical demonstration of how modern agricultural technologies can support food production while making efficient use of available resources.

The partnership between the Lions Club of Askøy in Norway and the Lions Clubs in Masaka has brought international support to a local school, creating a facility that can serve as a practical learning and demonstration centre.

As implementation progresses, the greenhouse and solar-powered vegetable garden are expected to provide Kyabbumba Primary School with a lasting platform for agricultural education and practical learning.

PROJECT AT A GLANCE
Grant: DONOR 26733/104C
Award Date: 8 July 2025
LCIF Award: US$34,126
Grantee: Lions Club of Askøy, Norway
Host/Partner: Kyabbumba Primary School
Project Components: Greenhouse and solar-powered micro-irrigation vegetable demonstration garden
Participating Lions Clubs: Lions Clubs of Masaka, Masaka Greater and Masaka City
Launch: Lead Donor PID Svein Berntsen and District Governor Tush Naturinda