St. Peter's Schools Nsambya turn 100
THIS year, the St. Peter’s schools turned 100. St. Peter’s PS and St. Peter’s SS Nsambya, both founded by the Catholic Church, are found on Nsambya hill in Lubaga division, writes <b>Mathias Mugisha</b>.
THIS year, the St. Peter’s schools turned 100. St. Peter’s PS and St. Peter’s SS Nsambya, both founded by the Catholic Church, are found on Nsambya hill in Lubaga division, writes Mathias Mugisha.
SAINT Peter’s Primary School, Nsambya has two important traditions that shape its history. The school holds the legacy of brass band music, having formed the first brass ensemble in the whole country, in 1909.
The introduction of classic football is also attributed to Nsambya, where the country’s oldest football club, Nsambya FC Namukadde (Luganda for the very old one),’ was formed in 1911.
Since then, the school has retained bold marks of these two traditions, with which it has also become synonymous.
The establishment of St. Peter’s Primary School Nsambya is attributed to the Catholic missionaries of the Society of Mill Hill Fathers, who arrived in the country (from England) on May 9, 1895, to preach the Catholic faith.
Led by Bishop Henry Hanlon, the missionaries met Kabaka Mwanga Basammula, who offered them land on Nsambya Hill, where they established their mission.
In 1902, Hanlon developed the idea of constructing a primary school at Nsambya and assigned the duty to Fr. Roenele. According to Mukasa Lusambu, the headmaster, St. Peter’s Primary School started under the shade of a huge mango tree with 12 boys, who included the late Prince Musanje and Paulo Mukedi, who later became a long-serving teacher at the school.
Using sun-baked bricks, the first big permanent building was constructed by Bro. Anthony and on completion, the school assumed the name St. Peter’s Boys School, Nsambya. It was officially opened on August 7, 1907.
From then to 1963, all headteachers, from Fr. Joannes Biarmans, ending with Fr. John Jones, were Europeans. The first African headteacher was Mzee Kabonge, who had taught in the school for a long time.
The school became popular because of its brass band and football team, started by Fr. John Campling. History has it that the first formal football field in Uganda was at Nsambya Hill, from where it was transferred to former Shimoni College and later to Nakivubo.
Between 1911 and 1914, Nsambya FC had the best players in the country. These included Benedict Mulo, Joseph Kapere and Peter Nnyanda, from whose name the term ‘nnyanda,’ which means strong bullet, was derived.
Most of these players made the first national team.
The school has produced prominent citizens like Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka (RIP), former chairman of the Military Commission Paulo Muwanga (RIP), Bishop Joseph Mukwaya (Kiyinda-Mityana), Dr. Ben Kiwanuka, Maj. Gen. Francis Nyangweso, Dr. Ssekamatte and Fr. Lawrence Kanyike of Makerere University.
The school, which is currently mixed, is the biggest in Kampala district with a population of 2,500 pupils, 63 teachers and 39 support staff.
Its academic performance has also improved tremendously over the years. Last year, it was 2nd best in Makindye division and 4th in Kampala district.
“We have continued to excel in academics, sports and other co-curricular activities.
Our pupils belong to various clubs like Scouting, Girl Guides, Rugby, MDD, Badminton, Wildlife, Red Cross, HIV/AIDS, Football and Netball,†Lusambu explains.
But the school has several challenges, which have come with its centenary. These include the increased enrolment through UPE, the dilapidated buildings and the influx of students in the boarding section, which call for expansion in terms of classrooms, dormitories and a storied structure for teachers’ accommodation.
St. Peter’s SS Nsambya
It shares a rich heritage and relationship with the primary school, which has always kept both schools connected physically, morally and spiritually. This relationship has enabled the two schools to work together, to donate and at times to share some of their facilities/infrastructure.
According to John Mary Mpoza, the headteacher, the school was started in 1968, out of demand from the parents.
The school started in the gigantic building, which was the very first structure of St. Peter’s Primary School.
The building, which recently acquired the nickname ‘Fort Jesus’ (owing to its long existence), is still being used by the school as a classroom block and boarding facility, although new buildings like the administration block and several classroom blocks have also been constructed.
To date, the school has 1,200 students, most of whom are needy, orphans or slum dwellers from areas like Katwe, Nsambya and Kibuli.
Some of its students are from Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC and the Sudan. It also has a 57-strong teaching staff and eight support staff.
The school, which has a reputation for discipline, also fares well academically and is ranked among the well-performing schools in the district. Last year, it produced one of the best students, with aggregate eight in eight subjects, in UCE.
“Our heart is with the poor and we are determined to make them excel, which is why our school fees policy is friendly,†Mpoza says.
He adds: “We are also committed to supporting the government policy of modernising the country through science and technology, though for us we do it with a difference. We shall put emphasis on teaching skill subjects like Fine Art, Technical Drawing, Computer and ICT studies and Entrepreneurship, besides Commerce and Accounts.â€
The celebrations were held at St. Peter’s schools grounds. The theme was ‘Commissioned to Serve, Lead and Excel.â€
Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala hailed the Mill Hill Missionaries for their vision of establishing the schools, which he said were a pride of both the Church and state. He urged stakeholders to keep the mission of the two institutions, which is ‘to provide all-round quality education through faith and hard work.
SAINT Peter’s Primary School, Nsambya has two important traditions that shape its history. The school holds the legacy of brass band music, having formed the first brass ensemble in the whole country, in 1909.
The introduction of classic football is also attributed to Nsambya, where the country’s oldest football club, Nsambya FC Namukadde (Luganda for the very old one),’ was formed in 1911.
Since then, the school has retained bold marks of these two traditions, with which it has also become synonymous.
The establishment of St. Peter’s Primary School Nsambya is attributed to the Catholic missionaries of the Society of Mill Hill Fathers, who arrived in the country (from England) on May 9, 1895, to preach the Catholic faith.
Led by Bishop Henry Hanlon, the missionaries met Kabaka Mwanga Basammula, who offered them land on Nsambya Hill, where they established their mission.
In 1902, Hanlon developed the idea of constructing a primary school at Nsambya and assigned the duty to Fr. Roenele. According to Mukasa Lusambu, the headmaster, St. Peter’s Primary School started under the shade of a huge mango tree with 12 boys, who included the late Prince Musanje and Paulo Mukedi, who later became a long-serving teacher at the school.
Using sun-baked bricks, the first big permanent building was constructed by Bro. Anthony and on completion, the school assumed the name St. Peter’s Boys School, Nsambya. It was officially opened on August 7, 1907.
From then to 1963, all headteachers, from Fr. Joannes Biarmans, ending with Fr. John Jones, were Europeans. The first African headteacher was Mzee Kabonge, who had taught in the school for a long time.
The school became popular because of its brass band and football team, started by Fr. John Campling. History has it that the first formal football field in Uganda was at Nsambya Hill, from where it was transferred to former Shimoni College and later to Nakivubo.
Between 1911 and 1914, Nsambya FC had the best players in the country. These included Benedict Mulo, Joseph Kapere and Peter Nnyanda, from whose name the term ‘nnyanda,’ which means strong bullet, was derived.
Most of these players made the first national team.
The school has produced prominent citizens like Chief Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka (RIP), former chairman of the Military Commission Paulo Muwanga (RIP), Bishop Joseph Mukwaya (Kiyinda-Mityana), Dr. Ben Kiwanuka, Maj. Gen. Francis Nyangweso, Dr. Ssekamatte and Fr. Lawrence Kanyike of Makerere University.
The school, which is currently mixed, is the biggest in Kampala district with a population of 2,500 pupils, 63 teachers and 39 support staff.
Its academic performance has also improved tremendously over the years. Last year, it was 2nd best in Makindye division and 4th in Kampala district.
“We have continued to excel in academics, sports and other co-curricular activities.
Our pupils belong to various clubs like Scouting, Girl Guides, Rugby, MDD, Badminton, Wildlife, Red Cross, HIV/AIDS, Football and Netball,†Lusambu explains.
But the school has several challenges, which have come with its centenary. These include the increased enrolment through UPE, the dilapidated buildings and the influx of students in the boarding section, which call for expansion in terms of classrooms, dormitories and a storied structure for teachers’ accommodation.
St. Peter’s SS Nsambya
It shares a rich heritage and relationship with the primary school, which has always kept both schools connected physically, morally and spiritually. This relationship has enabled the two schools to work together, to donate and at times to share some of their facilities/infrastructure.
According to John Mary Mpoza, the headteacher, the school was started in 1968, out of demand from the parents.
The school started in the gigantic building, which was the very first structure of St. Peter’s Primary School.
The building, which recently acquired the nickname ‘Fort Jesus’ (owing to its long existence), is still being used by the school as a classroom block and boarding facility, although new buildings like the administration block and several classroom blocks have also been constructed.
To date, the school has 1,200 students, most of whom are needy, orphans or slum dwellers from areas like Katwe, Nsambya and Kibuli.
Some of its students are from Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC and the Sudan. It also has a 57-strong teaching staff and eight support staff.
The school, which has a reputation for discipline, also fares well academically and is ranked among the well-performing schools in the district. Last year, it produced one of the best students, with aggregate eight in eight subjects, in UCE.
“Our heart is with the poor and we are determined to make them excel, which is why our school fees policy is friendly,†Mpoza says.
He adds: “We are also committed to supporting the government policy of modernising the country through science and technology, though for us we do it with a difference. We shall put emphasis on teaching skill subjects like Fine Art, Technical Drawing, Computer and ICT studies and Entrepreneurship, besides Commerce and Accounts.â€
The celebrations were held at St. Peter’s schools grounds. The theme was ‘Commissioned to Serve, Lead and Excel.â€
Emmanuel Cardinal Wamala hailed the Mill Hill Missionaries for their vision of establishing the schools, which he said were a pride of both the Church and state. He urged stakeholders to keep the mission of the two institutions, which is ‘to provide all-round quality education through faith and hard work.