Maj Gen Wilberforce Sserunkuma, Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Chairperson of the Board of Governors, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, yesterday commissioned a new three-classroom block at Rubongi Army Secondary School in Tororo District.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Maj Gen Sserunkuma said the new facility was “an investment in the future of learners and the surrounding community”.
He thanked the UPDF Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Brig Gen Richard Karemire, for allocating Shs100 million towards the construction project despite many competing demands.
He also commended UPDF engineers and the supervising team for successfully delivering the project.
Maj Gen Sserunkuma praised the local community for maintaining peace and security and encouraged continued cooperation in supporting the growth of the school.
He urged district leaders to include the school in the district budget to help improve infrastructure and learning conditions.
He noted that the additional classrooms would reduce congestion, improve the learning environment and support better academic performance among students.
Maj Gen Sserunkuma also called on parents, teachers and students to protect and maintain the new facility. He encouraged students to remain disciplined and focused on their studies.
He officially commissioned the classroom block and described it as “a beacon of hope, discipline and opportunity” for Rubongi and the wider community.
The Joint Staff for Formal Education, Culture and Sports, Brig Gen Richard Karemire, said: “It gives me a lot of pleasure to be here and witness the commissioning of the classroom block. Congratulations. Construction of this structure would not have been possible without the support of our Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has emphasised uplifting the welfare of our soldiers and their families to the extent of committing his personal allowances to support education. He has remained steadfast in ensuring that UPDF formal schools are resourced. Sir, please convey our deepest gratitude.”
Brig Gen Karemire said the school is among the 53 institutions founded by the UPDF to provide quality education, mainly to the children of soldiers, enabling their parents to focus on their core mandate of defending the country.
He noted that, as a people's army, the UPDF also admits learners from surrounding communities, who now outnumber the children of soldiers in its schools.
He added that education remains a pathway to prosperity and socio-economic transformation.
“The commissioning of this classroom is a manifestation of the MODVA/UPDF commitment to overcome the key challenges that affect our schools, namely infrastructure and staffing. We shall continue working with the Ministry of Education and Sports and I wish to thank the leadership for the concerned interventions so far made,” he said.
He also congratulated Jacob Marksons Oboth, the new Speaker of the 12th Parliament, upon his election.
“As UPDF we are very happy and proud that he has been our Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs. He supported us on all fronts, including ensuring that Parliament appropriates resources to enable us deliver on our mandate,” he said.
He urged the school to maintain high standards and protect its reputation.
“Whether this hardworking head teacher is here or not, count on the UPDF leadership for its full support,” he stated.
The head teacher of Rubongi Army Secondary School, Maj Zaina Nalukenge, said: “Improving quality of teaching and inspiring learners to work hard is always our goal. Special appreciation to the government and UPDF because government has not only constructed the classroom blocks but also gives us teachers from the Ministry of Education and the UPDF.”
She thanked Brig Gen Karemire for being a visionary leader who continues to follow the school's performance and the Board of Governors for steering the project.
“Let’s continue to provide good education and results, keep the building clean, well maintained and properly handled,” she emphasised.
The event attracted UPDF officers, local leaders, parents, teachers and students.
National
