Empower International Academy goes 100% solar

What the report says

Empower International Academy in Mpigi District has commissioned a solar power system to cut electricity costs and improve the reliability of power used for teaching and school operations, according to Watchdog Uganda. The installation was unveiled on September 14 at the Christian mixed international boarding secondary school in Nsanjere along Mityana Road.

The school, which serves students in Years 8 to 13 under the Cambridge curriculum, is owned and run by Music For Life, a non-governmental organisation focused on Christian education in Uganda and across Africa. School leaders said the move was prompted by repeated power interruptions, including outages, transformer failures and damage linked to weather-related incidents.

Head of school Edward Muwonge said the solar project, backed by Engineering Ministries International and sponsors Andy and Carol, should provide more dependable electricity and help students learn more about renewable energy and environmental care. Student representatives also welcomed the installation, saying it could support uninterrupted lessons and free up money previously spent on power bills for other school needs.

Music For Life and its partners used the commissioning to highlight wider interest in cleaner energy options. The sponsors also framed the project as part of efforts to support a greener future and to reduce dependence on a power mix that can be affected by drought and other environmental pressures. The event ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by students, staff and partners.