Ugandan schoolgirls meet McKinnon and former New Zealand MP Marilyn Waring

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon’s visit to Nabisunsa Girls’ School in the Ugandan capital Kampala on 13 June 2007 prompted many questions about the Commonwealth and the wider African continent.

What is the Commonwealth doing about the lengthy conflict in Somalia? Is there anything that can be done for the people of Zimbabwe? What can you do to help lift Africans from poverty?

Addressing the school’s 1,200 pupils, Mr McKinnon replied: “Somalia is not a member of the Commonwealth, but its disintegration has had a terrible effect on its neighbours like Kenya, who are our member.

“Zimbabwe pulled out of the Commonwealth in 2003 and we tried to help the country, but in the end we failed. The effect of the difficulties there is felt across the region, with South Africa now home to three million Zimbabweans -- and that’s a big problem.”

He told pupils about the Commonwealth and its values – as well as the benefits of being a member country.

Former New Zealand Member of Parliament Marilyn Waring, who accompanied Mr McKinnon, spoke candidly about violence against women.

A leading gender activist, she said she was inspired by the many questions that pupils asked: “We answered questions on HIV/AIDS, scholarships for girls, poverty, the problem state of Somalia in the Horn of Africa, the question of Zimbabwe and political leadership within the Commonwealth."

“With bright young ladies like these, Uganda’s got a great future,” she added.

The Nabisunsa girls agreed. “Very soon I see myself in high places. This school is producing talents that will be deployed to advance national and international development,” said 18-year-old Latifah Kiribedda, the school’s Head Girl.

Headmistress Aisha Hajati Lubega said: “Nabisunsa Girls’ School recognises and acknowledges the great role the Commonwealth makes in fostering understanding among the member states in a bid to solve problems of development among poor people such as in Uganda.”

Mr McKinnon donated several books on education and gender to the school library.