St. Kalemba: 40 years and still growing
Jul 29, 2007
IN 1967, Mulondo Kyeswa, an ordinary Christian somewhere in Nazigo, Kayunga, donated part of his land for the construction of a church next to his house.
By Stephen Ssenkaaba
IN 1967, Mulondo Kyeswa, an ordinary Christian somewhere in Nazigo, Kayunga, donated part of his land for the construction of a church next to his house.
His aim was to save his ailing wife the long journey to church every Sunday. The church was set up and subsequently, a school constructed next to it.
Today, Nazigo Catholic Church stands shoulder-to-shoulder with St. Mathias Mulumba Kalemba Secondary School.
St Kalemba SS celebrates 40 years of existence, in remembrance of the persistence and vision that have turned this once small co-educational secondary institution into a leading secondary school in the district and beyond.
“We have always been guided by strong moral and religious principles. Emphasis on education with strong Christian values has been our major inspiration to success,†says Joseph Mary Mpoza, the headteacher.
Since its establishment, St. Kalemba has maintained a commendable academic record. In 1977, the school produced one of the best three students in English composition writing in the much coveted global postal union secondary schools competition.
In 1979, it produced the second-best candidate in the national O’level exams. Dr Veronica Nakyanzi, now a lecturer at Columbia University, marked the beginning of competitive academic excellence at the school.
The school progressed in the 1980s, registering an increase in enrollment and improvement of academic staff and facilities. For a very long time, St. Kalemba also produced the best candidates at the district inter-school French competitions.
It has produced academicians like Dr Maria Kizito Kasule of Makerere University School of Fine Art, Dr Veronica Nakyanzi, Dr Goretti Nakasango (head of Curriculum Department at Makerere University), Dr Mutennyu (a lecturer at Makerere and Dr Titus Ogave of Kyambogo University.
Among the politicians it has produced are Tom Kazibwe, MP Ntenjeru South, Kawesa Ndawula, MP Kiboga and secretary National Resistance Movement caucus. There are also leading figures in showbiz such as renowned actor Philip Luswata and Barbara Nakimbugwe, former Miss Uganda.
The school’s good performance coupled with its holistic approach to education has propelled St. Kalemba to great heights. Even then, life has not been a bed of roses.
The school grappled with inadequate scholastic materials, laboratories and equipment, classrooms, water and food shortage. The political instability that engulfed Uganda through the 1970s and 1980s tremendously affected the progress of St. Kalemba.
Through the tireless efforts of staff, parents and students, the school has overcome these hardships. It has grown from 300 students in 1986 to 1,005 students (467 girls and 538 boys) to date and 62 graduate teachers.
It has acquired modern physical facilities including 19 spacious classrooms, 16 teachers’ houses, six well-equipped science laboratories and a modern computer lab.
Named after St. Mathias Mulumba Kalemba, one of the Uganda martyrs, the school had a humble beginning. Fathers Loranger Eugene and Kibuuka of the White Fathers congregation, played a key role in its establishment.
The late Augustine Ngobi, the first headteacher worked hard to keep the school afloat with limited resources. In 1976, St. Kalemba became government-owned.
Much of the school’s success has been due to the hard work of its headteachers, Ngobi, Mugalula, Pelgrine Kibuuka, Charles Lukubo Kyasanku, Adolphus Migadde and Joseph Mary Mpoza, assisted by an able teaching and non-teaching staff, guided by an inspirational clergy.
St. Kalemba has grown into one of the better established secondary schools in the country. Its 40th anniversary is just a step in its journey to success.
IN 1967, Mulondo Kyeswa, an ordinary Christian somewhere in Nazigo, Kayunga, donated part of his land for the construction of a church next to his house.
His aim was to save his ailing wife the long journey to church every Sunday. The church was set up and subsequently, a school constructed next to it.
Today, Nazigo Catholic Church stands shoulder-to-shoulder with St. Mathias Mulumba Kalemba Secondary School.
St Kalemba SS celebrates 40 years of existence, in remembrance of the persistence and vision that have turned this once small co-educational secondary institution into a leading secondary school in the district and beyond.
“We have always been guided by strong moral and religious principles. Emphasis on education with strong Christian values has been our major inspiration to success,†says Joseph Mary Mpoza, the headteacher.
Since its establishment, St. Kalemba has maintained a commendable academic record. In 1977, the school produced one of the best three students in English composition writing in the much coveted global postal union secondary schools competition.
In 1979, it produced the second-best candidate in the national O’level exams. Dr Veronica Nakyanzi, now a lecturer at Columbia University, marked the beginning of competitive academic excellence at the school.
The school progressed in the 1980s, registering an increase in enrollment and improvement of academic staff and facilities. For a very long time, St. Kalemba also produced the best candidates at the district inter-school French competitions.
It has produced academicians like Dr Maria Kizito Kasule of Makerere University School of Fine Art, Dr Veronica Nakyanzi, Dr Goretti Nakasango (head of Curriculum Department at Makerere University), Dr Mutennyu (a lecturer at Makerere and Dr Titus Ogave of Kyambogo University.
Among the politicians it has produced are Tom Kazibwe, MP Ntenjeru South, Kawesa Ndawula, MP Kiboga and secretary National Resistance Movement caucus. There are also leading figures in showbiz such as renowned actor Philip Luswata and Barbara Nakimbugwe, former Miss Uganda.
The school’s good performance coupled with its holistic approach to education has propelled St. Kalemba to great heights. Even then, life has not been a bed of roses.
The school grappled with inadequate scholastic materials, laboratories and equipment, classrooms, water and food shortage. The political instability that engulfed Uganda through the 1970s and 1980s tremendously affected the progress of St. Kalemba.
Through the tireless efforts of staff, parents and students, the school has overcome these hardships. It has grown from 300 students in 1986 to 1,005 students (467 girls and 538 boys) to date and 62 graduate teachers.
It has acquired modern physical facilities including 19 spacious classrooms, 16 teachers’ houses, six well-equipped science laboratories and a modern computer lab.
Named after St. Mathias Mulumba Kalemba, one of the Uganda martyrs, the school had a humble beginning. Fathers Loranger Eugene and Kibuuka of the White Fathers congregation, played a key role in its establishment.
The late Augustine Ngobi, the first headteacher worked hard to keep the school afloat with limited resources. In 1976, St. Kalemba became government-owned.
Much of the school’s success has been due to the hard work of its headteachers, Ngobi, Mugalula, Pelgrine Kibuuka, Charles Lukubo Kyasanku, Adolphus Migadde and Joseph Mary Mpoza, assisted by an able teaching and non-teaching staff, guided by an inspirational clergy.
St. Kalemba has grown into one of the better established secondary schools in the country. Its 40th anniversary is just a step in its journey to success.