Kyamakanda Secondary School Celebrates 40 Years of Excellence in Education

Rukungiri: Kyamakanda Secondary School celebrated its 40th anniversary on October 5, 2024 in Buyanja Town Council, Rukungiri District, marking four decades of success and quality education. The event featured the official opening of a new building, a thanksgiving ceremony, and a fundraising drive for a proposed multipurpose block estimated at 2.98 billion shillings.

Founded in 1984 by Canon Ben Kwikiriza, who served as the school’s first head teacher, Kyamakanda began on a strong church foundation.

Retired Bishop Emeritus Tugume Tusingwiire, representing Bishop Onesmas Asiimwe the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese as the main celebrant, drew inspiration from Exodus 23:15 to reflect on the significance of the past forty years. He noted that just as the Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness to prepare and strengthen their relationship with God, the school community has also built a solid foundation for future generations.

The head teacher, David Kapiira, addressed the challenges facing the school, particularly the lack of infrastructure. He criticized the government for not funding the construction of buildings, emphasizing that parents have been responsible for all construction efforts since the school’s inception. Kapiira also highlighted the urgent need for a main hall and more computers to accommodate the growing student population.

In response to these concerns, Rukungiri District Chairperson Geoffrey Kyomukama, who represented the chief guest who was the Security Minister Rtd Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, acknowledged the government’s shortcomings regarding the school. He urged the head teacher to compile a list of urgent needs and communicate directly with the Ministry of Education.

Kyomukama also assured Form Four students and their parents that the government is aware of the challenges posed by the new curriculum and is committed to addressing them.

The event concluded with a friendly football match between current students and alumni, with the students emerging victorious with a score of 2-1. Over 51 million shillings were raised during the fundraising efforts, further supporting the school’s development initiatives.