Bishop Kisembo hails govt for new curriculum during Palm Sunday prayers

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The Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese, Rt Rev. Reuben Kisembo, has commended the Government of Uganda for introducing a new lower secondary school curriculum, describing it as a timely reform that will equip learners with practical skills and improve the quality of education in the country.

Bishop Kisembo made the remarks on Sunday (March 29) while leading Palm Sunday prayers at Kyebambe Girls Secondary School in Fort Portal city. The service drew a large congregation of students, teachers, parents and members of the community who gathered to mark the beginning of Holy Week.

The occasion also provided an opportunity for Kyebambe Girls to hold a thanksgiving for its strong performance in last year’s Senior Four and Senior Six examinations.

In his sermon, the bishop applauded the government’s efforts to shift from a purely theoretical approach to a more competence-based curriculum.

He noted that the new system encourages critical thinking, creativity and hands-on learning, which are essential for preparing students to meet the demands of the modern world.

Bishop Kisembo and staff of Kyebambe Girls pose for a photo after the prayers.

“The introduction of this curriculum is a step in the right direction. It will help our children not only to pass exams but also to acquire skills that can enable them to create jobs and contribute meaningfully to society,” Bishop Kisembo said.

Fees responsibility

Bishop Kisembo also urged parents to take responsibility for their children’s education by paying school fees, warning that relying solely on government support is unrealistic and undermines the quality of education.

He expressed concern over what he described as a growing misconception among some parents that education is entirely free under government programmes.

“I am not happy with the government for telling parents not to pay school fees. Saying that studying is free is not realistic. What the government provides is not enough to run our schools effectively,” he said.

The bishop emphasised that many schools continue to depend on parental contributions to operate smoothly, noting that a number of teachers are not on the government payroll and must be supported through school fees.

“Parents must play their role. Our schools cannot function without your support. Many of our teachers are not paid by the government, and they depend on these contributions,” he added.

To underscore his message, the bishop shared a personal story about his upbringing, revealing that his father, who was visually impaired, made great sacrifices to educate him.

“My father was a blind man, but he paid my school fees from Primary One up to Senior Six. If a blind man could struggle and ensure his children are educated, what about you?” he asked.

He urged parents to emulate such commitment and not abandon their responsibilities under the assumption that government programmes can fully cater for all educational needs.

The bishop further emphasised the importance of discipline, hard work and faith, encouraging learners to remain focused on their academic journey while upholding strong moral values.

Call for world peace

During the same service, Bishop Kisembo reflected on the significance of Palm Sunday, reminding Christians of the humility of Jesus Christ as He entered Jerusalem. He called on believers to emulate Christ’s example by serving others selflessly and promoting peace in their communities.

He also called on world leaders to abandon arrogance, repent and work towards peace, warning that ongoing global conflicts are causing immense suffering to innocent people.

Kisembo said Christians and leaders alike should emulate Jesus Christ, whom he described as the Prince of Peace.

“Emulate Jesus Christ. He is the Prince of Peace. When you look at the world today, what is happening in Iran, Israel, the United States, Congo, and Russia, there is too much suffering caused by leaders’ arrogance,” he said.

His remarks come at a time when global tensions continue to rise, with conflicts in the Middle East involving Iran, Israel and the United States escalating and causing widespread destruction and loss of life.

Bishop Kisembo condemned what he described as pride and hardline positions among global leaders, saying such attitudes are fuelling wars and worsening the humanitarian situation.

“Those arrogant leaders who are causing suffering to miserable people because of their pride must stop. I call upon all world leaders to repent and not continue causing the suffering of humanity,” he said.

He emphasised that the message of Palm Sunday is rooted in humility, peace and sacrifice, values he said are urgently needed in today’s world.

Kyebambe Girls also used the opportunity for a thanksgiving service to celebrate the outstanding performance of its candidates in last year’s national examinations, with top-performing students receiving awards in recognition of their excellence.

According to the school head teacher, Ruth Kwesiga, the thanksgiving was organised to appreciate God for the achievements registered and to motivate current students to aim higher.

“We are grateful for the performance of our candidates last year. This thanksgiving is a way of appreciating God for the success and encouraging our learners to continue working hard,” she said.