Türkiye Inaugurates Modern Science and IT Labs at Ugandan School in Kampala

Turkish Ambassador to Uganda Fatih Ak has inaugurated modern physics, chemistry, and IT laboratories at SENA High School in Kampala, donated by the Turkish aid agency TİKA. The project, implemented through a Turkish NGO, aims to improve science and technology education and support Uganda’s digital learning goals. Officials described the initiative as a symbol of cooperation between Türkiye and Uganda and said it will help train future scientists and innovators.

Turkish Ambassador to Uganda Fatih Ak on Wednesday officially inaugurated modern physics, chemistry, and information technology laboratories in Kampala, in a project supported by the Turkish state aid agency TİKA and aimed at strengthening science and technology education in the country.

The facilities were donated to SENA High School, a newly constructed institution located in the Wamala area near Uganda’s capital. The school was developed by the Solidarity and Assistance Foundation Uganda (SENA), a Turkish non-governmental organisation, as part of efforts to improve access to quality education and enhance learning infrastructure for Ugandan students.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Ak described the project as a symbol of solidarity and shared vision between Türkiye and Uganda. He noted that the opening of the school and laboratories represented more than just the completion of a building, but the creation of opportunities for young people to access education that can transform their future prospects.

He emphasised that education remains one of the most powerful tools for societal development, stating that institutions like SENA High School demonstrate what can be achieved through cooperation, friendship, and a shared commitment to progress. According to him, the project is intended to serve as a pathway toward a brighter future for Ugandan youth by equipping them with relevant scientific and technological skills.

The ambassador also commended TİKA for its role in equipping the laboratories, describing the initiative as one of the most impactful investments in the region aimed at preparing students for a technology-driven world. He expressed optimism that the school would evolve into a centre of excellence that nurtures students capable of contributing meaningfully to their communities and to Uganda’s broader development.

The inauguration brought together a range of dignitaries, including Türkiye’s religious attaché to Uganda Ramazan Pehlevanoglu, Director of the Islamic University in Uganda Kampala campus Dr Twaha Ahmad Kasule, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Sciences at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Prof Dr Hasan Kamil Yilmaz, Azîz Mahmud Hüdâyî Foundation Director General of foreign services Ali Can Tatlı, and SENA chairman Caner Akgun, among others.

TİKA’s coordinator in Uganda, Murat Cetin, explained that the laboratories have been fully equipped with essential instruments for science subjects, enabling students to conduct experiments that strengthen their understanding and academic performance. He added that the IT laboratory would provide learners with digital literacy skills and access to global knowledge, aligning with Uganda’s broader national digitalisation and development goals.

According to him, the long-term objective is to inspire and train a new generation of Ugandan scientists, engineers, and technology innovators who can emerge directly from these classrooms and contribute to national progress.

Mehmet Asim Tuncez, resident director of SENA High School, described the project as a gift from the Turkish people aimed at strengthening both education and moral development. He said the school provides a safe learning environment designed to instil discipline and ethical values while also offering students access to modern research tools and knowledge systems.

The school headteacher, Muhamudu Kaizzi, also welcomed the development, calling it a significant milestone for education in Wamala and for the country as a whole, noting its potential to improve learning outcomes and expand opportunities for students.