Mackay Memorial College, Nateete has unveiled the first edition of the Zzimba Mackay Run, a major fundraising initiative scheduled for 8th August 2026, aimed at accelerating the completion of a modern multi-purpose block to support its rapidly growing student population.
The ambitious project, valued at UGX 1.59 billion, will house a main hall, computer laboratory, administrative offices, and additional classroom space, all designed to enhance the institution’s academic environment and align with contemporary learning standards.
Organisers are targeting 5,000 participants for the inaugural run, with athletes and community members set to compete across 3km, 5km, and 10km distances.
Participation kits have been priced at UGX 25,000, with proceeds directly contributing to the construction effort.
Speaking ahead of the event, Head Teacher Jane Harriet Namiiro Kato underscored the urgency of the initiative, noting that the school’s steady enrolment growth has outpaced its current infrastructure.
“Zzimba Mackay Run is here because of a real need. Our numbers have grown significantly, and that demands expansion in facilities. We are committed to creating a more conducive learning environment for our students,” she stated.
Namiiro Kato further acknowledged the groundwork laid by her predecessor in initiating the project, emphasizing a sense of institutional continuity and responsibility.
“I am serving my second term as head teacher, and I appreciate the efforts of my predecessor who improvised to start this project.
It is now our duty to complete what was started and transition from temporary wooden classrooms to improved, permanent structures.”
Founded on a rich historical legacy, Mackay Memorial College traces its origins to Alexander Murdock Mackay, a British missionary who arrived in Uganda in 1878 and established what would become one of the country’s respected centres of learning.
The institution evolved from a primary school into a fully-fledged secondary school in 1967, and has since produced generations of impactful citizens.
Beyond conventional academics, the school has maintained a strong reputation for practical skills training, offering programmes in carpentry, technical drawing, tailoring, bakery, hairdressing, and electrical installation, a hallmark that continues to distinguish its educational model.
The Zzimba Mackay Run now stands as both a community mobilisation effort and a strategic investment in the future of the institution, as stakeholders rally to deliver infrastructure that matches the school’s enduring academic and vocational excellence.
