SERIES: ST. KAGGWA BOARDING PRIMARY SCHOOL PLATINUM CELEBRATIONS — PART 1
*”Education Is a Legacy”: An Exclusive Conversation with Mr. Baryaruha Lawrence, Pioneer of St. Kaggwa Boarding Primary School Management*
_In this first edition of our Platinum Celebrations interview series, Bainomugisha Godfrey, an Old Boy of the Class of 2009, sits down with Mr. Baryaruha Lawrence to reflect on the journey, the people who made sacrifices, and the enduring power of education._
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*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* Mr. Baryaruha, thank you for speaking to us as St. Kaggwa Boarding Primary School prepares to celebrate its Platinum anniversary. To begin, take us back to the early days. What do you remember about the school before it became known as St. Kaggwa Boarding Primary School?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* Thank you very much, Godfrey. It is a great honour to speak about St. Kaggwa, especially at such a historic moment.
I was present during an important transition in the history of the school. In 1987, the school was undergoing a transformation from what was then known as Rushinya Primary School to St. Kaggwa Boarding Primary School.
At that time, the Head Teacher was Mrs. Angella Karekyezi. She accepted a position transfer to facilitate the transition, and Mr. Albert Tumusiime became the new Head Teacher. We thank her for accepting the transition at that time.
Those were important days. A school does not become an institution overnight. It takes people with vision, commitment and willingness to sacrifice for the future of children.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* You were also part of the Parish Council that was involved in establishing the boarding section. How did that process begin?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* The establishment of the boarding section was a collective effort. I was privileged to be part of the Parish Council at the time, and we saw the need to create a boarding facility that would give more children an opportunity to access education in a structured environment.
Under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Msgr. John Barugahare, we began looking for practical ways of making the boarding section a reality.
One of the immediate challenges was beds. We therefore received free beds from Cecilia Girls, which was under the leadership of Sr. Viviana. We continue to thank the Sister for her great contribution towards the school and she will forever be appreciated.
Those may appear to be small steps when we look back today, but at the time they were very significant. Every bed, every book and every contribution represented someone’s sacrifice for the future of a child.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* You eventually became the first PTA Chairman after the boarding section was established. What did that responsibility mean to you?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* It was a responsibility I took very seriously. Being the first PTA Chairman meant that we had to help build systems and structures almost from the beginning. We had to work with parents, teachers, the administration, the Church and the wider community.
My philosophy has always been that a school belongs to the community it serves. Parents cannot leave everything to teachers, and teachers cannot do everything alone. The administration, management committee, PTA, parents, former students and well-wishers must all play their part. That spirit of cooperation is one of the things I believe helped St. Kaggwa grow.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* You also donated textbooks in different subjects. What motivated you?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* I have always had a passion for education. I believed then, as I believe now, that a textbook can change a child’s life. A child who has access to learning materials has a better opportunity to understand what is being taught and develop a culture of reading.
Whenever I could support the school with textbooks or other materials, I did so because I considered it an investment in the children. You do not always need to build a large structure to make a difference. Sometimes a book placed in the hands of the right child can have an impact that lasts for generations.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* How were you able to manage and sustain the boarding section during that period and what challenges did you face?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* Managing and sustaining the boarding section in 1987 required a lot of commitment, teamwork and resourcefulness. Circumstances were not always easy, and we had to make good use of the limited resources available.
One of the main challenges was ensuring that pupils had their basic needs met, including food, accommodation, hygiene and proper supervision. We also had to maintain discipline and ensure children were safe and able to concentrate on their studies.
To overcome these challenges, I worked closely with other staff, the school administration, the Church and the pupils themselves. We planned carefully, used available resources responsibly and encouraged cooperation. Where resources were limited, we looked for practical ways of managing what we had rather than allowing difficulties to affect the children.
Another challenge was dealing with homesickness, illness and disciplinary issues. I tried to handle these situations with patience, prayers and understanding, while maintaining the necessary standards of discipline. I also ensured pupils were properly supervised and problems were addressed early before they became serious.
That experience taught me a great deal about leadership, teamwork and patience. Despite the challenges, we were able to keep the boarding section functioning and provide a safe and supportive environment.
The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 22:6 to train a child in the way he should go, and when he grows older, he will not depart from it. For me, education and faith must go together. Education gives you knowledge, while good values help you use that knowledge responsibly.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* You have specifically remembered Dr. Richard Nduhura. Why?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* I want to sincerely thank Dr. Richard Nduhura for the love and support he showed towards St. Kaggwa during his time as Member of Parliament and later as an ambassador. People sometimes forget the contribution made by individuals who support schools from outside the classroom. Such support can make a significant difference, particularly when it is directed towards improving opportunities for children.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* You also mentioned St. Thomas Bunyaruguru, Kitabi Seminary, St. Mary’s Kyamuhunga, Sacred Heart Mushanga, St. Joseph’s and Bishop Ogez High School. What role did these institutions play?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* They played an important role. I would like to appreciate the Head Teachers of St. Thomas Bunyaruguru, the Rectors of Kitabi Seminary, and the leadership of Bishop Ogez High School for providing opportunities to former St. Kaggwa pupils to continue with their education. A primary school can only lay the foundation. The institutions that receive its graduates help to build the next levels. That is why partnerships between schools are so important.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* You also singled out Mr. Longino Ishanga. What would you like to say about his contribution?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* I want to thank Longino Ishanga for his commitment to the school management committee and for the different responsibilities he undertook in service of St. Kaggwa. Leadership in a school requires sacrifice. It requires people who are willing to give their time and energy without always expecting personal recognition.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* One of the initiatives associated with you was mobilising funds to construct houses for boarding teachers. What inspired that idea?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* The idea came from a practical need. When you have a boarding school, teachers and other staff need to be close enough to learners to provide proper supervision and support. I therefore initiated fundraising for houses for boarding teachers. At that time, Hon. Amanya Mushega was the Minister of Education, and the initiative was part of the broader effort to improve the school’s facilities. Some of those buildings still exist today.
When I look at such structures, I do not simply see bricks and mortar. I see a particular generation of parents and leaders who were saying: Let us do something today that will benefit children tomorrow.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* As someone who witnessed the early stages of the boarding section, what goes through your mind when you see St. Kaggwa now preparing for a Platinum celebration?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* I simply thank God. It is a blessing to be alive and witness the school reach this important milestone. When you remember where we started, the challenges we faced and the resources available at the time, seeing the school reach Platinum is deeply fulfilling. It reminds me that the work we did was not in vain.
The celebration will be held on 25th October 2026, with His Grace Archbishop Lambert Bainomugisha as the Main Celebrant and Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, as Chief Guest. I thank God for allowing me to live long enough to witness this occasion.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* You have witnessed the school under several generations of leadership. What would you like to say about the administrators, teachers and other staff?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* I thank them all. I remember the administration from the time of Mr. Albert Tumusiime, who came during the transition in 1987, up to the current Head Teacher, Mr. Celestine Twinomugisha.
I also appreciate all the Head Teachers, teachers, non-teaching staff, school management committees and PTAs who have served the school over the years. A school is not built by one Head Teacher. It is built through the combined efforts of many people across generations.
Every teacher who teaches a child, every parent who pays school fees with sacrifice, every committee member who attends a meeting, every staff member who performs his or her duty and every well-wisher who gives support contributes to the story.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* What changes would you like to see in Uganda’s education system?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* I strongly believe that Kiswahili and Agriculture should be made compulsory subjects at both primary and secondary levels. Uganda needs practical skills, economic knowledge and regional integration to achieve our development aspirations towards 2040.
Agriculture remains central to our economy and livelihoods. Children need to understand it not simply as digging in the garden, but as a modern economic activity involving technology, value addition, agribusiness and entrepreneurship. Kiswahili is also important because of our position in East Africa and the wider region. Education should prepare children not only to pass examinations but also to participate meaningfully in the economy and society.
I also advise the young generation to protect and conserve the environment through planting trees and protecting existing ecosystems for the survival of generations to come.
*BAINOMUGISHA GODFREY:* As we conclude, what is your message to the St. Kaggwa family?
*BARYARUHA LAWRENCE:* My message is simple: protect the legacy and continue building. Those who started this school did not have everything. We worked with what we had.
Today, the current generation has greater opportunities and greater responsibilities.
To the pupils, I say: work hard, be truthful, respect your parents and teachers, love God and use your education to serve others. To the Old Boys and Old Girls, remember where you started. Give back whenever you can. To the parents, continue supporting the school. To the teachers and administrators, continue giving your best.
And to everyone who has contributed to St. Kaggwa’s journey, I say thank you. Most importantly, let us thank God. The Platinum celebration is not merely a celebration of a school building or a number of years. It is a celebration of generations of children whose lives have been touched by St. Kaggwa. I am grateful to God that I have witnessed part of that journey.
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*THE LEGACY CONTINUES*
_The story of St. Kaggwa Boarding Primary School is ultimately a story of people — teachers who accepted responsibility during periods of transition, parents who sacrificed, Church leaders who provided guidance, community members who mobilised resources, administrators who kept the institution moving and generations of pupils who carried the name of the school across Uganda and beyond._
_Mr. Baryaruha Lawrence’s memories offer a window into one chapter of that journey — a time when the boarding section was still an idea that required determination, fundraising and community support._
_As St. Kaggwa prepares to mark its Platinum celebration on 25th October 2026 for thanksgiving and fundraising for the completion of the platinum administration and classroom block, his reflections remind the present generation that institutions are built gradually, through acts of service that may appear small at the time but become significant across generations._
Interview conducted by Bainomugisha Godfrey, Old Boy, Class of 2009, as part of the St. Kaggwa Boarding Primary School Platinum Celebrations interview series.
Mr Baryaruha Lawrence.
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