The Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Brig Gen Richard Karemire, has commended the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for prioritising the welfare of soldiers and their families through investment in education.
"The construction of this entire school campus would not have been possible without the support of our Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has consistently emphasised the welfare of soldiers and their families, including supporting education initiatives," Brig Gen Karemire said while commissioning Ruhengyere Army Primary School in Kayonza Parish, Kikatsi Sub-county, Nyabushozi County, Kiruhura District.
The school is among the UPDF's formal education institutions under the Special Forces Command (SFC). It was established to bring education services closer to military personnel and surrounding communities.
Brig Gen Karemire said Ruhengyere Army Primary School is one of 53 education institutions established by the UPDF to provide quality education, mainly for the children of serving soldiers. He said this enables soldiers to focus on their duty of defending the country.
He added that the schools also benefit neighbouring communities. He noted that pupils from civilian families now outnumber the children of soldiers at the school.
"That is not a problem because, ultimately, we are educating Ugandans," he said.
Brig Gen Karemire said the commissioning reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs and the UPDF to addressing challenges facing army schools. He added that the UPDF would continue working with the Ministry of Education and Sports to improve learning conditions in military-founded schools.
The chairperson of the School Management Committee and Commander of the Commando Brigade, Col CK Masembe, said the school was established in 2022 by Maj (Rtd) Julius Bamanya.
He said the school first operated from a cookhouse, makeshift structures and classrooms held under tree shades before the UPDF's Formal Education, Sports and Culture department took over its management in 2023.
Col Masembe said that, following a directive from the Chief of Joint Staff, the SFC leadership identified a suitable site for the school, paving the way for the construction of the current facilities.
The school's head teacher, Warrant Officer Class Two Lubyayi, said the institution has recorded steady growth, which he attributed to support from the SFC Education Desk and the UPDF leadership.
He said construction of the classroom blocks started in December 2025 and was completed in January 2026. The school now has three classroom blocks with seven classrooms, as well as an administration block.
The ceremony was attended by the Director of Education, Sports and Culture in the SFC, Col Gilbert Owamagyezi; the Commander of 3 Dumisha Brigade, Lt Col Gabriel Lomongin; senior and junior officers, community leaders, political leaders and parents.
EducationEU, Belgium Distribute 728 Bicycles to Rural Schools to Fight Student Dropouts
The WeLearn WeTeach Bicycle Empowerment Programme has delivered 728 bicycles to 14 rural secondary schools in Kamuli, Kyegegwa, and Adjumani districts. Implemented by CooP Uganda and Enabel, the transport initiative targets students trekking up to 15 kilometers daily, aiming to boost class attendance, improve safety, and lower dropout rates for girls.
