WIREDGOV

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething has visited Bumayoka Primary School in Mbale, Uganda to switch on new low energy lighting that will be powered by a small scale hydro power facility installed early last year.

The hydropower project supported by Welsh charity PONT powers the newly installed state of the art LED lights which have been donated by Welsh firm Sedna Lighting in partnership with the Welsh Government’s Wales for Africa programme.

The environmentally friendly and sustainable lighting, powered by a local water source, will enable children at the school to learn after dark and will illuminate their often windowless classrooms.

As part of the celebrations to mark ten years of the Wales for Africa programme, Vaughan Gething is in Uganda to see some of the projects and meet some of the people who have benefitted from the successful scheme.

Speaking after he switched on the lights for the first time, Vaughan Gething said:

“This is just one of the many positive projects I’ve seen so far on my visit to Uganda to celebrate our Wales for Africa programme.

“These lights provided by Sedna Lighting, along with the hydroelectric power facility from PONT are going to be life changing for the children and whole community at Bumayoka Primary school. 

“Darkness will no longer be a barrier to learning – they have a bright future ahead of them.”