Buddo SS lift national secondary schools MDD crown

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Buddo Secondary School have been crowned champions of this year’s National Secondary Schools MDD Festival.

The festival, which attracted 29 schools from across Uganda as well as guest participants from Kenya, was co-hosted by Trinity College Nabbingo, Buddo SS and King’s College Budo from August 19 to 24. It ran under the theme: Greening Schools, Environmental Protection: Our Responsibility.

Students from St. Jerome SS Ndama prerform a cultural dance from Western Uganda. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The ensembles that participated included Trinity College Nabbingo, Immaculate Heart Girls’ School Nyakibale, Buhobe SS, Kisubi Mapeera SS, God’s Way High School Maganjo, Luzira SS, Jinja SS, Moroto High School, Iganga High School, St. Jerome SSS Ndama, Arua Public School, Nakaroke SS, St. Mary’s Vocational School Kyamuhunga, Amus College, Wampeewo Ntakke SS, Mbale SS, Bweranyangi Girls’ SS, Sacred Heart SS Gulu, Streams of Wisdom High School Ndejje, and Mpanga SS, among others.

Commissioner Juliet Muzoora (front-row, left), Senior Counsel Pheona Nabasa (second-left), Canon Dr. John Fred Kazibwe (right) and other guests enjoying the festival. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Students from Sacred Heart SS Gulu reciting a poem on digital transformation. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Buddo SS were declared and crowned champions during the festival’s grand finale at King’s College Budo on August 24, 2025, after scoring a total of 1,013 points. Kisubi Mapeera SS and Amus College followed in second and third place with 1,008 and 969 points, respectively.

The commissioner for teacher education standards in the education ministry, Dr Cleophus Mugenyi, who presided over the closing ceremony, commended the students for inspiring the nation to tackle climate change.

A student from Mbale SS in a cultural dance action. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“Environmental stewardship is deeply rooted in the new curriculum. If we embrace the green culture, our schools can become centres of sustainability,” said Mugenyi.

Guest speaker, senior counsel Pheona Nabasa Wall, encouraged the students to contribute to the country’s common good, even if they may not personally benefit from it in their lifetime. She also urged them to embrace ethical values.

The students from Bweranyangi Girls' SS in a creative dance action. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

The festival was also attended by the commissioner for secondary school education, Juliet Muzoora, and the assistant secretary general of the Association of Secondary Schools Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU), John Ngirabakunzi, who lauded the government for maintaining peace and security, enabling students to study and develop their talents.

The head teacher at King’s College Budo, Canon Dr John Fred Kazibwe, called upon students to adopt a positive attitude.

Trinity College Nabbingo students deliver a folk musical demonstration of how a bark cloth is made from a Mutuba tree. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

Students from Streams of Wisdom SS Ndejje performing a cultural dance from Central Uganda. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

“It does not matter where you come from. You can achieve what you want. The only disability we have is attitude. So, mind to have the right attitude. It is your attitude, not aptitude, that determines your altitude. Learn the best practices, and you will make a difference. If you do good, you feel good. If you feel good, you do good,” said Canon Kazibwe.

The festival was organised by the Ministry of Education with the support of partners such as the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and SchoolPay.

Students from Immaculate Heart Girls School Nyakibale enjoying a photo moment with their trophies. (Photo by Mathias Mazinga)

All the speakers paid tribute to the host headteachers, including Lady Immaculate Lwanga of Trinity College Nabbingo, Lawrence Muwonge of Buddo SS, and Canon Dr John Fred Kazibwe of King’s College Budo, for their goodwill, generosity and commitment to the festival.