In recent years, traditional schools in Uganda have been facing difficulties due to increased competition in the education sector. Stakeholders are urging the government to provide more support to these schools, which are grappling with financial and infrastructure challenges.
During the celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Leo’s College, Kyegobe in Fort Portal, Kabarole District, Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Tooro Kingdom deputy minister of health and assistant commissioner for reproductive health in the Ministry of Health, emphasized the need for government assistance. He pointed out that liberalization of the education sector has intensified competition for academic performance and student enrollment among traditional schools.
St. Leo’s College, Kyegobe, known for its academic and sports excellence in the 1980s and mid-2000s, faced a period of decline in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Strikes and academic misconduct led to the cancellation of some of its Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) results in 2014, causing a decline in enrollment to as low as 195 students.
In an effort to rejuvenate the school, a group of former students (OBs) invested approximately Shs800 million over the past eight years. Dr. Mugahi, one of the OBs and a key figure in the school’s revival, highlighted the need for the government to invest in modern infrastructure and digital resources, as the world becomes increasingly digital, to better equip students.
Eng Emmex Turyatunga, chairperson of the OBs association, shared how the OBs initiated a bursary scheme in 2015 to support academically gifted but financially needy students. In the 2022 UCE results, the school achieved remarkable academic success, ranking 51st in the country. Eng Turyatunga expressed the expectation that the school’s enrollment would increase to 1,000 students in the coming two years, provided the government’s financial support for the renovation of remaining school structures.
Mr. Trophy Atuhairwe, the school’s head teacher, praised the OBs’ intervention, which has led to a surge in enrollment to 560 students. He stressed the need for additional renovations and the construction of a perimeter wall to improve the school’s attractiveness.
Fort Portal Catholic Bishop Robert Muhiirwa commended the OBs for their role in revitalizing the school and expressed hope that it would continue to shine. He noted the transformation in discipline and performance at the school.
To celebrate their achievements, OBs, students, and well-wishers participated in a sports gala, with Nkrumah House excelling in basketball and football, and Nyerere claiming the handball victory.
