Uganda Martyrs SS Namugongo turns 40
Jul 01, 2007
ON Sunday, July 8, Uganda Martyrs’ Secondary School Namugongo will celebrate 40 years of existence, marking a crucial milestone in the development of a school that was hardly known about two decades ago.
By Stephen Ssenkaaba
ON Sunday, July 8, Uganda Martyrs’ Secondary School Namugongo will celebrate 40 years of existence, marking a crucial milestone in the development of a school that was hardly known about two decades ago.
“We are celebrating not just our past achievements, but also our growth into one of the leading schools in the country,†says Dr. JC Muyingo, the headteacher.
Various activities have been held to mark this day. These include donation of scholastic materials to selected needy schools, a public discourse on the implications of Universal Secondary Education, interschool debates on the challenges facing the youth, sports and drama activities and grassroot evangelisation programmes.
Other activities include a medical camp where the school in collaboration with its old medical students offer free medical services to the community and an Old students dinner. All these will be crowned on July 8 with the unveiling of a sh600m complex to accommodate seven science laboratories, a multipurpose hall, as well as the launching of a 10-year-development programme for the school.
The day’s activities will be presided over by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr. Cyprian Lwanga.
“These activities symbolise the beginning of a journey that will spur our school to the top. We would like to see it develop into a modern school –– preparing well- rounded people who will rid the country of poverty, uphold moral standards and compete favourably in the job market,†says Muyingo.
Namugongo started in 1967 as a tiny school for needy girls. It began under the auspices of Namugongo Catholic Parish, led by Msgr. Lawrence Mbwega.
With a team of strong committed Christians, Mbwega mobilised support and labour for the construction of the school. According to Muyingo, lay parishioners played an important role in this work.
“They contributed money, materials and labour,†he says. The school opened for its first intake on January 15, 1968 with 20 students. Through the dedication of Sr. Charles Martin, its first headteacher, the school progressed fast. In 1971, it presented its first candidates for external examinations. The 80s marked an improvement in various areas but the turning point was in 1992 when Muyingo took over as headteacher.
“We entered the bracket of academic giants... that year we were ranked 40th out of 100 best performing schools in the country,†he says. Today, Namugongo continues to grow. Enrollment has grown tremendously from 20 students in the 1960s to 1,260 today. The school has 90 teachers.
The school has also expanded and attained modern infrastructure including computer and science laboratories, a swimming pool, spacious classroom blocks and modern dormitories for boys and girls.
It continues to excel academically, producing some of the best candidates in national exams and an 80% general pass rate. The school has trained leaders.
These include: Cotilda Nakatte, the headteacher of Trinity College Nabbingo; Agnes Nsubuga, the headteacher of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Naggalama; Vincent Mugabo, an assistant registrar of the High Court among others. It also continues to excel at various Co-curricular and spiritual activities.
Founded on the cardinal principles of respect for God, academic dedication and leadership, the school has sought to groom its students into well-rounded individuals as some of them attest.
“Namugongo has offered us the opportunity to discover our talents. We always strive to perform to the very best and live up to the legacy of success,†says Teddy Nakamya, the headgirl.
“Being a religious school, it has contributed enormously to my spiritual growth,†says Martin Kaddu, the deputy headboy.
“I was a shy girl. I feared to express myself. Today, the school has offered me a chance to discover my potential as a leader,†says Nouela Anaso, S6A chief judge.
“We owe everything to the focus of our headteacher. For his sense of purpose, we have learnt to aim for the very best,†says Aaron Ssemakula, S6 science chief judge.
Forty years of existence is clear testimony of the school’s steady progress. Its ability to mould responsible and disciplined citizens indicates the firm foundation of a school that delights in the core values of perseverance and success.
Only time will tell whether or not the school lives up to its standards.
ON Sunday, July 8, Uganda Martyrs’ Secondary School Namugongo will celebrate 40 years of existence, marking a crucial milestone in the development of a school that was hardly known about two decades ago.
“We are celebrating not just our past achievements, but also our growth into one of the leading schools in the country,†says Dr. JC Muyingo, the headteacher.
Various activities have been held to mark this day. These include donation of scholastic materials to selected needy schools, a public discourse on the implications of Universal Secondary Education, interschool debates on the challenges facing the youth, sports and drama activities and grassroot evangelisation programmes.
Other activities include a medical camp where the school in collaboration with its old medical students offer free medical services to the community and an Old students dinner. All these will be crowned on July 8 with the unveiling of a sh600m complex to accommodate seven science laboratories, a multipurpose hall, as well as the launching of a 10-year-development programme for the school.
The day’s activities will be presided over by the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese, Dr. Cyprian Lwanga.
“These activities symbolise the beginning of a journey that will spur our school to the top. We would like to see it develop into a modern school –– preparing well- rounded people who will rid the country of poverty, uphold moral standards and compete favourably in the job market,†says Muyingo.
Namugongo started in 1967 as a tiny school for needy girls. It began under the auspices of Namugongo Catholic Parish, led by Msgr. Lawrence Mbwega.
With a team of strong committed Christians, Mbwega mobilised support and labour for the construction of the school. According to Muyingo, lay parishioners played an important role in this work.
“They contributed money, materials and labour,†he says. The school opened for its first intake on January 15, 1968 with 20 students. Through the dedication of Sr. Charles Martin, its first headteacher, the school progressed fast. In 1971, it presented its first candidates for external examinations. The 80s marked an improvement in various areas but the turning point was in 1992 when Muyingo took over as headteacher.
“We entered the bracket of academic giants... that year we were ranked 40th out of 100 best performing schools in the country,†he says. Today, Namugongo continues to grow. Enrollment has grown tremendously from 20 students in the 1960s to 1,260 today. The school has 90 teachers.
The school has also expanded and attained modern infrastructure including computer and science laboratories, a swimming pool, spacious classroom blocks and modern dormitories for boys and girls.
It continues to excel academically, producing some of the best candidates in national exams and an 80% general pass rate. The school has trained leaders.
These include: Cotilda Nakatte, the headteacher of Trinity College Nabbingo; Agnes Nsubuga, the headteacher of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Naggalama; Vincent Mugabo, an assistant registrar of the High Court among others. It also continues to excel at various Co-curricular and spiritual activities.
Founded on the cardinal principles of respect for God, academic dedication and leadership, the school has sought to groom its students into well-rounded individuals as some of them attest.
“Namugongo has offered us the opportunity to discover our talents. We always strive to perform to the very best and live up to the legacy of success,†says Teddy Nakamya, the headgirl.
“Being a religious school, it has contributed enormously to my spiritual growth,†says Martin Kaddu, the deputy headboy.
“I was a shy girl. I feared to express myself. Today, the school has offered me a chance to discover my potential as a leader,†says Nouela Anaso, S6A chief judge.
“We owe everything to the focus of our headteacher. For his sense of purpose, we have learnt to aim for the very best,†says Aaron Ssemakula, S6 science chief judge.
Forty years of existence is clear testimony of the school’s steady progress. Its ability to mould responsible and disciplined citizens indicates the firm foundation of a school that delights in the core values of perseverance and success.
Only time will tell whether or not the school lives up to its standards.