Mwiri Primary School has registered zero failures in its 2026 mock examinations, with 131 out of 145 PLE candidates passing in Division One and 14 in Division Two.
The stellar performance was revealed on Saturday, 24th October 2026, during the first PTA Annual General Meeting since the appointment of headteacher Mwanga Ronald.
The AGM attracted hundreds of parents, the School PPTA chaired by John Ibanda, District Education Officer Eria Kisambira, teaching and non-teaching staff, political leaders, and clergy from Busoga Diocese and elsewhere who are also parents at the school.
The Area MP Hon Grace Paddy Kirya Wanzala and District Woman MP Hon Peace Tibyaze were invited but did not attend due to heavy constituency engagements.
To put the day into context for the purpose of this article, an Annual General Meeting is the supreme forum of accountability where management renders stewardship to the true owners of the school – the parents. It is where figures are interrogated, philosophy restated, and the future charted.
In the case of Mwiri, a historic Church of Uganda school founded in 1966 and described as the ‘academic nursery bed’ that feeds Busoga College Mwiri, this AGM was therefore a homecoming of trust and renewal.
In his opening remarks, Mwanga thanked the Bishop of Busoga Diocese Rt Rev Prof Dr Grace Lubaale and Jinja District Local Government for trusting him with a national heritage.
From there, the soft-spoken headteacher anchored his address on Mwiri’s enduring philosophy: What Starts In Mwiri Changes The Nation. This philosophy is supported by a vision to be a leading school in academic and environmental standards, a mission to empower pupils through holistic education to become reliable, independent and God-fearing citizens, and a motto Kulwa Katonda n’Egwanga Lyaffe (For God and Our Country) from which Uganda’s national motto is believed to have been derived.
This year’s theme is maximization of time on tasks for quality result. In addition to that, the school continues to draw inspiration from the fact that it gave Uganda a beautiful motto that has stood over years, motivating all pupils who pass through Mwiri Primary and Busoga College Mwiri to excel.
Transitioning from philosophy to lived experience, the meeting heard from an old boy. Although absent, Hon Kirya in a message pledged total support for the school programme because Mwiri is the school that began his journey. Hon Kirya was at Mwiri Primary in the mid-1970s.
In his own words: “Mwiri is not just a school to me; it is the foundation of who I am today as a Member of Parliament and procurement consultant. The discipline, ethics and fear of God instilled in us is what has carried us through public service. When you pass through Mwiri, you carry a mark of excellence.”
As a practical step, he pledged to donate tree seedlings to green the compound and to lobby for more support to eliminate asbestos structures and transform the learning environment.
Moving from inspiration to hard evidence, Mwanga reported enrollment of 677 boys: P1 39, P2 52, P3 65, P4 96, P5 150, P6 130 and P7 145 candidates fully registered for PLE, handled by 53 teaching and non-teaching staff.
On academics, teaching has been effective and several programmes put in place are paying off. All 145 candidates passed mock with 131 in Division One and 14 in Division Two without any failure, raising optimism for PLE. This is a leap from last year’s 99 candidates where 62 passed in Division One and 37 in Division Two under former headteacher Muhairwa David whom Mwanga praised for laying a strong foundation.
Reflecting on the result, Mwanga offered a philosophy of teaching: “Education is not filling a pail, it is lighting a fire. A teacher does not just teach mathematics; he models integrity. A pupil does not just pass exams; he must pass the test of character. At Mwiri we teach the boy, not just the subject.”
Beyond books, the focus shifted to character and welfare. Discipline remains commendable as the school continues to reinforce rules to shape boys into responsible, God-fearing and law-abiding citizens. Health is managed by two resident nurses and a visiting doctor. Boys have been active in ball games and Music Dance and Drama at school and district levels, some representing Jinja District at national games in Tororo.
Closely linked to welfare was the question of meals. In this regard, parents were happy to note that on Visiting Days the administration always makes very delicious meals like beef and chicken and rice and matooke plus thick cocktail juice which are standard for parents, staff and pupils.
This prompted Mwanga to pronounce that, parents do not have to bother carrying food since what they prepare is sufficient enough.
“We feed the boys as our own children. A hungry child cannot learn. We serve the same food to parents, staff and pupils. That is the Mwiri way – equality, dignity and excellence on the same plate,” he said.
However, the most contentious issue was language. Some parents stressed the need to adhere to pupils speaking English throughout.
One mother from Bugiri who said she was speaking on behalf of many others said even at home there is no space for vernacular since examinations are set in English not Lusoga.
In sharp contrast, a section of parents pushed back saying they are in the land of the Kyabazinga where they cannot afford to ignore Lusoga. The group who stubbornly switched to Lusoga in their contributions to illustrate that indeed they are loyal subjects of His Majesty William Wilberforce K Nadiope Gabula IV said even English language that some people literally worship is part of English culture so there is need to balance.
At this point, Mwanga intervened with a philosophical reflection. He said language is three things at once: a means of communication, a medium of instruction, and a carrier of culture which must be promoted and preserved diligently for posterity.
Expanding on this, he noted: “Language is not just words. Language is thought. A child thinks in a language. For learners in lower primary, mother tongue is the bridge to understanding. A child who masters his mother tongue first masters other languages better. So Lusoga is not the enemy of English; Lusoga is the foundation for English.”
He added that examinations are in English and English is the language of wider communication, so it must be enforced for academic purposes especially from P4 upwards. But Lusoga must be promoted and preserved as part of culture and identity.
“A language preserved is a culture preserved; a culture preserved is a people preserved. Our vision is to produce a boy who can argue a case in perfect English in a boardroom in Kampala, and the same boy can respectfully address the Kyabazinga in Lusoga. That is holistic education,” he said.
Consequently, the meeting resolved that English will be emphasized for academic excellence while Lusoga will be respected and celebrated through debates, MDD, storytelling and cultural days.
Turning to resources, Mwanga thanked parents who clear fees in time and reminded them of the SMC resolution requiring at least 40 percent fees clearance before reporting, which has enabled prompt payment of suppliers and staff.
In terms of visible progress, achievements include installation of security floodlights all over the school, ongoing reroofing of staff houses to eliminate asbestos, fixing glasses in all classrooms and dormitories, installation of solar panel water pump, renovation of P1 flush toilets and showers, procurement of 150 new beds for lower classes, repair of 342 old beds, procurement of 280 mattresses, receipt of 1,028 iron sheets from Office of the Prime Minister enabling removal of asbestos from major buildings, planting trees and securing water dispenser for teachers.
Nevertheless, challenges remain. These include construction of perimeter wall and new gate stalled due to financial constraints, need for more classrooms and dormitories, de-roofing of remaining asbestos structures like dispensary, kitchen, store and four teachers houses, renovation and extension of dining hall, low enrollment in lower primary, high prices of goods and slow fees clearance.
Finally, the meeting heard from the parent leadership. The PTA Chairman, a committed parent leader and mobilizer who has bridged the gap between parents and administration and ensured parental voice drives school improvement, echoed the success stories and pledged continued support for progressive transformation.
“What we have seen today is leadership that speaks with results. Mwanga has not come to manage Mwiri; he has come to transform it. As parents we have seen the lights, the new beds, the mock results. A school is as good as its headteacher’s philosophy. If the headteacher believes in excellence, the boys will excel. Our role as PTA is to be co-teachers at home,” the PTA Chairman said.
Similarly, Finance Committee Chairman Medi Mbentyo, a respected financial steward and media personality-cum politician who has brought discipline and transparency, presented a 1.6 billion shillings budget for 2027 which was unanimously approved after amendments.
“This budget is not about spending money; it is about investing in a boy who will one day be a bishop, minister, president. We are managing every shilling with fear of God, since Kulwa Katonda n’Egwanga Lyaffe is not a slogan – it is an accountability tool,” Mbentyo said.
Parents however rejected PTA fees increment citing economic meltdown where dollar fetches more than 4000 shillings and fuel over 7000 shillings per litre with commodity prices skyrocketing.
In his closing remarks, the PTA Chairman John Ibanda said he is optimistic stalled projects will be restarted in 2027 with vigor and encouraged parents to continue paying dues.
In conclusion, admission of newcomers for 2027 will begin on Monday 4th January 2027 and parents were urged to mobilize others enthusiastically for greater enrollment and sustained excellence.
