King’s College Budo's 120th anniversary celebrated with new books

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King's College Budo, one of Uganda's oldest and most prestigious schools, is set to celebrate its 120th anniversary on March 29, 2026. To mark this milestone, Dr Edward Kayondo, an Old Budonian, has authored two books that chronicle the school's journey over the past two decades.

Dr Kayondo continues where the late Gordon P. McGregor, a former teacher of Budo, left off. The Scot published two books on the history of the school: ‘King’s College, Budo: The First Sixty Years’ (1967), and ‘King’s College, Budo: A Centenary History 1906-2006 (2006)’, which was published just in time to celebrate the school’s 100 years of existence.

“I thought 20 years is long enough for somebody to write a book,” Dr Kayondo said. “So, I have written a book which tells the story right from the centenary celebrations, the infrastructure developed, and the loss of four former headmasters, among other developments.”

King's College Budo, 20 Years into the Second Century, is a comprehensive account of the school's progress since the centenary celebrations. The book delves into the school's infrastructure development, notable events, and challenges faced, including the passing of former headmasters Mr Ian Robinson, Mr Chanda, Mr Bakka Male and Mr Uyirwoth. It also recounts the tragedy of Budo Junior School and the expulsion of 30 boys during exams. The book provides insight into the school's current leadership and the impending retirement of the headmaster, who has served for five years.

The second book, Who is Who from Budo, 1906-2026, lists 16,000 Old Budonians, an updated version of the previous Who's Who, which listed 5,000. This exhaustive directory includes photos, achievements, and notable alumni, a valuable resource for anyone connected to the school.

A third book, Budo Diversity, compiled by former teacher of biology Patrick Boston, showcases the school's history through photographs from 1964-1972. This collection offers a unique glimpse into the school's past, highlighting its diversity and growth.

Kayondo was driven by his dedication to preserving the school's legacy. And at the end, his tireless work paid off, with Who is Who from Budo, 1906-2026 alone boasting 860 pages, featuring hundreds of photos and detailed information about notable alumni. The book includes chapters on Old Budonionas who have made significant contributions, those who have passed on, and notable families who have had multiple children attend the school.

The books will be available for purchase during the anniversary celebrations, with proceeds likely supporting the school or related initiatives.