Busoga primary school headteachers warned against mediocrity

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In a bid to strive for excellence in learning institutions, especially primary schools in Busoga region, headteachers have been urged to reject mediocrity.

The call has been made by Busoga Kingdom's second deputy prime minister, Osman Ahmed Noor. He made the call on May 9, 2025, while closing the retooling conference for headteachers of various primary schools in Busoga, at VIVA College School in Jinja city.

The weeklong conference organised by the Busoga Education Initiative (BEI) in collaboration with the education ministry under the theme: Strengthening Leadership for Improved Educational Outcomes in Busoga, was attended by over 1,200 headteachers.

“Busoga is a region of immense potential, rich history and great promise. Through education, we will reclaim our pride and secure our position among Uganda’s leading academic regions,” Noor said.

“Our shared goal is to restore Busoga’s former glory in education, and we firmly believe that through strategic partnerships, we will achieve this vision,” he added.

Headteachers shaping the future

Noor said headteachers are more than administrators, they are architects of the future—the quality of leadership within their schools determines the standard of education, influences students’ confidence, strengthens parental aspirations and ultimately shapes the trajectory of Busoga region.

“The conference was designed to equip you with enhanced managerial and administrative skills, team-building techniques and effective strategies to improve academic performance, especially in the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE),” he said.

Headteachers of various primary schools in Busoga sub-region attending the closing ceremony of their retooling conference at VIVA College School on Friday. (Photo by Donald Kiirya)

A call for collaboration

“We deeply value your (education ministry) partnership and steadfast commitment to BEI, which has yielded significant improvements in Busoga’s education sector – let us continue working together to ensure that every child receives a quality education in a safe, inclusive and well-managed environment.”

Noor extended his sincere appreciation to Amb. Agnes Kalibbala and BEI, as well as the education ministry, for championing this initiative aimed at strengthening leadership within schools in Busoga.

He urged headteachers to lead with vision, inspire with integrity and manage with excellence and build strong teams, motivate their staff, engage with their communities and most importantly, nurture the dreams and aspirations of every learner entrusted to their care.

He rallied headteachers to embrace the Inhebantu’s initiative of keeping children (especially girls) in schools, which is part of a broader campaign of the Isebantu Kyabazinga’s programme aimed at ending teenage pregnancies in Busoga and Uganda by extension.

The campaign dubbed ‘Abasadha n’empango’, meaning ‘Men are the Pillars’, is a move by the Kyabazinga together with UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF AND WHO aimed at inspiring men and boys to be at the forefront of fighting teenage pregnancy.

He informed the headteachers that they will be very crucial to the success of this campaign as major stakeholders and will be briefed and inducted formally by the Kyabazinga Initiatives Organisation and OBB Ministry of Education soon.

Kalibbala said the conference aimed to enhance the managerial and administrative skills of headteachers, promote teamwork and unity among staff and develop strategies to improve performance in Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

She said that by equipping headteachers with effective leadership and management skills, they aim to enhance teaching and learning outcomes, promote a culture of academic excellence, and ultimately improve pupil performance and achievement. She thanked the premier for his dedication to Busoga's progress and serving the kingdom with integrity and hard work.

Busoga Kingdom education state minister, Nasabu Nantale, extended deepest gratitude to Uganda's education ministry, BEI, VIVA College and all partners for their dedication and commitment to education in Busoga. 

Present at the closing ceremony were Assistant Commissioner Primary Education, Robert Ikwap, secretary general of District Education Officers Association in Uganda, Edward Kamaga, Primary Schools’ Headteachers’ Association in Busoga chairperson, Bernard Kabambwe, Musa Birungi, Baker Kasadakawo, the chairperson of DEOs Association in Busoga, VIVA College School board member, Fr Richard Kayaga and Dennis Anguyo, the Principal of VIVA College School.

Key facilitators of the conference included the chairperson Social Services Committee in Parliament, James Kubeketelya, former minister Daudi Migereko, former Vice-President Specioza Kazibwe, NRM's Rosemary Sseninde, former MUBS principal Prof. Wasswa Balunywa, Prof. Katwalo and representatives from URA and Bishop Willis among others.