The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has applauded the Church for supplementing government efforts in the provision of education in the country. 

NRM director for mobilization, Rosemary Sseninde, said Church owned schools play a big role of educating and imparting practical skills to students. 

Sseninde, the former minister of State for education was speaking during centenary celebrations of St. Agnes Girls’ Primary Catholic School – Naggalama on Saturday. She particularly hailed Little Sisters of St. Francis Congregation for championing the girl-child plight in the country.  

Bishop Christopher Kakooza of Lugazi Diocese(third Right), Sr Rose Basemera headteacher(2nd right), Emeritus Lugazi Diocese Bishop Mathias Ssekamanya(right), former state Minister for primary education , Rosemary Sseninde, (5th right) and Sr Rita Nakitende Superior general little sisters of St Francis congregation(4th left) cut a cake during the 100 years celebrations of St. Agnes Girls Catholic Primary School, Nagalama on Saturday.

“St Agnes Primary School has made us who we are today.  The school taught us to be discipline and women of substance in this world. We want to hail the little sisters’ congregations who imparted practical skills to our generations,” she said.  

St. Agnes girls’ School Naggalama, Mukono district was founded in 1922 by Mother Mary Kevin, the superior general of Little Sisters of St, Francis Congregation. Its currently enrolls over 900 pupils. 

Sseninde appealed to parents not to forget their responsibility of bringing upright children. She castigated mothers who wear skimpy dresses.  

“Parents, let's help schools to nurture our children so that we get leaders who will truly lead us. Parents, we have forgotten our roles to nurture our children. Social media has also destroyed our children,” she said. 

Sr Rosemary Basemera, the head teacher at the school, said that the school faces challenges of accommodation for both staff and pupils, saying that they need to expand and put up more structures once funds are available.  

“I want to hail parents and well - wishers who have contributed towards the completion of our Mother Mary Kevin girls’ dormitory worth sh1.5b. We need your support as we marked 100 years today to complete more projects for the school,” she said. 

Basemera said that covid-19 era affected many pupils who overstayed home saying that they have rejuvenated plans to carry on counselling both parents and their children.  

Sr. Basemera joined the school in 2017 before she was promoted to head the school in 2020. She replaced Sr. Theresa Kabananura who retired and now resides in Nkokonjeru convent.  

Sr.  Basemera said that Mother Kevin is highly regarded for her work to the poor, a rock star sister for women and those who had no place else to go due to disabilities or other infirmities.  

“She established homes for the poor, cared for children stigmatized by disabilities whose families abandoned them to the care of the sisters. She founded orphanages in both Uganda and Kenya. These homes are still there because generations of sisters,” she said. 

 Lugazi diocese Bishop, Christopher Kakooza who was the main celebrant of the day hailed laity and government for supporting church founded institutions in the country. He told parents to always pray for their children so that they succeed and become responsible people in future. 

During the same celebrations sh1.5b Mother Kevin girl’s dormitory was unveiled by diocese Bishop, Christopher Kakooza and Emeritus Bishop Mathias Ssekamanya.  

Mary Josephine Nabuyungo organizing committee member of the school, said that celebrations are part of milestone of showing the championing of girl child education by the little sister’s congregation. 

“Mother Kevin always wanted a girl child to achieve her goals through education. that’s why she opened up several primary and secondary schools across the country to champion the girl child education,” Nabuyungo said.  

Sarah Okello an old girl, said that the school had strict disciplinary measures among the pupils including expelling them. “In case you don’t complete work you would be penalized by the sisters for misbehaving,” she said. 

The late Mother Kevin the founder of the Little Sisters of St Francis. Mother Mary Kevin an Irish catholic missionary nun who came to Uganda in 1903 and subsequently established reputable hospitals and health centers, educational institutions and charitable home. She also founded two catholic religious groups little sisters of St Francis and Franciscan sisters for Africa. Some of the prominent schools she established included, Namilyango girls’ and boys’ school, St. Theresa Namagunga boarding primary school.