Wakiso, Uganda: King’s College Budo, one of Uganda’s oldest institutions, over the weekend marked 120 years since its founding with strong calls for government to address salary disparities among teachers and tackle rising corruption in public service.
The milestone celebrations, attended by top government officials, Buganda Kingdom representatives, religious leaders, and alumni, turned into a platform for both reflection and urgent national concerns.
Vice President Rt Maj Jessica Alupo, who officiated as chief guest, revealed that government is preparing a phased salary enhancement for Arts teachers, starting with a 25 per cent increment.
“Government will begin in a phased manner to enhance salaries of Arts teachers by 25% as we continue engaging stakeholders, until we bridge the gap with science teachers,” Alupo said, urging teachers to remain patient as government works toward harmonising salaries across disciplines.
Alupo also praised King’s College Budo for its enduring legacy in shaping Uganda’s leadership, discipline, and academic excellence. “May God continue blessing you so that you continue transforming the lives of people of Uganda,” she added.
However, the celebrations also carried a strong moral message from Namirembe Diocese Bishop, Rt Rev Moses Banja, who warned that corruption is increasingly being normalised in Uganda.
“People are now giving and receiving bribes as if it is normal. Whether it is for jobs or services, many believe you must pay to get what you deserve. This is dangerous and can destroy the nation,” Banja, who led the Thanksgiving sermon, cautioned.
He noted that even graduates who excel academically are being forced into bribery to secure employment, a trend he described as deeply worrying for the country’s future.
Bishop Banja commended the Buganda Kingdom for donating the land on which the school stands and thanked successive governments for supporting its growth over the years.
On behalf of Buganda Kingdom, Minister for Lands and Properties, Owek. David Mpanga noted that the kingdom takes pride in the school’s historic role in grooming generations of leaders.
“King’s College Budo is a pillar of excellence in Buganda. Its contribution to education and leadership development cannot be overstated,” Owek Mpanga said.
During the event, the school officially welcomed its new headteacher, Godfrey Kasamba, who pledged to build on the institution’s strong legacy that has stood for years.
The celebrations also featured recognition of distinguished individuals, including the recently retired headteacher, Canon John Fred Kazibwe and the school’s oldest known alumnus, a 104-year-old Norah Namakula Muyinda, whose presence symbolised the institution’s enduring legacy.
Founded in 1906, King’s College Budo has evolved from a school originally established to educate princes and chiefs into a national institution that now educates both Ugandans and international students with a population of over 2,000 learners.
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