Kidepo Valley Primary Schools: A Sanctuary for Conservation Education, Geremech and Sarachom, Uganda
In the remote Karamoja region, adjacent to the Kidepo Valley National Park, two primary schools emerge from the landscape as living tools for conservation. Designed by Localworks for the African Wildlife Foundation, the Geremech and Sarachom schools serve as vital incentives for local communities to view wildlife as a livelihood opportunity rather than a threat. The architecture adopts a "camouflage" aesthetic, utilizing earth and stone to blend harmoniously into the savannah and agricultural surroundings while providing a secure, off-grid environment for learning.
The Vision
The schools are conceptualized as educational hubs where the boundaries between the classroom and the wild landscape are intentionally blurred. Geremech, known as the "Savannah School," is laid out like a traditional local village with buildings spread out to respect existing vegetation, while Sarachom, the "Farm School," utilizes terracing and productive gardens to act as a demonstration farm for the community. This approach fosters active learning, where children engage with indigenous Ficus trees and medicinal plants that are integrated directly into the campus design to teach the value of local flora.
Tectonics
The construction of the schools represents a near-carbon-free approach, prioritizing materials that could be sourced and processed on-site to overcome the challenges of its remote location. The buildings sit on traditional rubble stone foundations—constructed without concrete—supporting semi-dry stack plinth walls made from hand-mined granite. Above these stone bases, the walls are composed of stabilized compressed earth blocks (CEB) and a reinforced masonry ring beam, creating a monolithic structure built entirely by local masons.
The Living Building
Every element of the campus is designed as a functional "machine" for sustainability, from the "woven" metal window panels that provide security and shade to the sophisticated water harvesting systems. Rainwater is collected in interconnected tanks screened by climbing plants, providing enough water for eight months of the year, while energy is supplied by roof-mounted solar PV arrays. To support the school's nutritional and energy needs, hybrid ecostoves are fueled by biogas generated from an on-site bio-latrine system, completing a circular loop of resource management.
Data Sheet
Project Name: Kidepo Valley Primary Schools (Geremech and Sarachom)
Location: Geremech and Sarachom, Karamoja, Uganda
Architect: Localworks
Completion Year: 2018
Area: 2000m²
Key Materials: Hand-mined granite, compressed earth blocks (CEB), woven steel strips, and bamboo
Typology: Educational
Client: African Wildlife Foundation
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