UPDF commissions Ruhengyere Army School in Kiruhura
Karemire commended the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of soldiers and their families.
The construction of the classroom blocks began in December 2025 and was completed in January 2026. (PPU photos)
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The Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has commissioned Ruhengyere Army Primary School in Uganda's western district of Kiruhura.
The school is located in Kayonza parish, Kikatsi sub-county in Nyabushozi county.
It is among the UPDF educational institutions under the Special Forces Command (SFC) as part of efforts to bring essential services closer to soldiers and the surrounding communities.
Karemire commended the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his unwavering commitment to improving the welfare of soldiers and their families.
“The construction of this entire school campus would not have been possible without the support of our CDF, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has consistently emphasised the welfare of soldiers and their families, including supporting education initiatives,” said Karemire.
He also applauded the leadership of SFC for dedicating substantial resources towards the development of UPDF schools.
Ruhengyere Army Primary School is among the 53 educational institutions established by the UPDF to provide quality education, primarily to children of soldiers, thereby enabling their parents to concentrate on their core mandate of defending the country.
Karemire emphasised that the schools also serve neighbouring communities, noting that civilian pupils currently outnumber the children of soldiers at Ruhengyere Army Primary School.
According to Karemire, the commissioning of the school demonstrates the commitment of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the UPDF to addressing challenges affecting army schools, including inadequate infrastructure, instructional materials and staffing.
He said UPDF will continue working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports to further improve learning conditions in military-founded schools.
The chairperson of the School Management Committee and Commander of the Commando Brigade, Col CK Masembe, traced the history of the school.
It was established in 2022 by Maj. (Rtd) Julius Bamanya, then the PC 2IDTS.
The school initially operated from a cookhouse, makeshift structures and under tree shades, before the UPDF Directorate of Formal Education, Sports and Culture officially took over its management in 2023.
Masembe said the Chief of Joint Staff later directed the SFC leadership to identify a suitable site for the school, leading to the construction of the current facilities.
The school head teacher, Warrant Officer Class Two (WOII) Lubyayi, said the institution is experiencing rapid growth due to the commitment of both the SFC Education Desk and the UPDF leadership to improving the standards of army schools.
The construction of the classroom blocks began in December 2025 and was completed in January 2026. The school currently has three classroom blocks — two containing two classrooms each and one comprising three classrooms — as well as an administration block.
WOII Lubyayi noted that of the seven candidates who sat for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) last year, two attained First Grade while five obtained Second Grade.
The school currently has ten Primary Seven candidates.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Director of Education, Sports and Culture in the SFC, Col Gilbert Owamagyezi; Commander of 3 Domisha Brigade, Lt Col Gabriel Lomongin; senior and junior officers, community leaders, political representatives and parents.