Kampala, Uganda — Former Headteacher of Jinja Secondary School, Madam Hope Nyago, has challenged students of Kololo High School to embrace sports as a powerful tool for discipline, talent development and personal transformation, urging them to use their time and energy positively instead of engaging in bad habits.
Nyago was representing the Guest of Honour, Hon. Cissy Mulondo, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, General Duties, at Kololo High School’s annual Sports Day held under the theme “Education for Self-Employment through Skills and Talent Promotion.”
Speaking to the students, Nyago shared her personal experience of using sports to transform Jinja Secondary School, where she served as Headteacher, explaining that sports can play a major role in making a school stronger while also helping students become disciplined and focused.
She said her experience at Jinja Secondary School demonstrated that when students are given opportunities to participate in sports, their energy can be channelled into productive activities that improve discipline, confidence, teamwork and responsibility.
Nyago, who is also the founder of Busoga United Team, encouraged Kololo High School students to take sports seriously and view their talents as potential pathways to their future.
She challenged students who may be involved in undesirable behaviours to make deliberate decisions to change direction and invest their efforts in sports and other constructive activities.
According to Nyago, sports give young people a positive environment in which to compete, develop friendships, learn discipline and discover abilities that may eventually become careers.
She also emphasized that success in life requires more than academic qualifications, urging students to identify their talents early and work consistently to develop them.
“Sports can make a school stronger,” Nyago told the students, drawing from her own experience of using sporting activities as part of school leadership and student discipline.
She noted that sports can also contribute to physical and mental well-being, helping learners remain active while developing qualities such as resilience, perseverance, leadership and the ability to work as a team.
The Sports Day brought together students from different communities across Kampala, making the event an important platform for interaction, unity and talent development. Kololo High School, located in the heart of Kampala City, continues to attract learners from diverse backgrounds, including young people from less-privileged communities.
Nyago’s message therefore resonated with the wider purpose of the school’s Sports Day, which seeks to ensure that learners are not only academically prepared but are also equipped with practical skills, talents and positive values for life beyond school.
The competitions featured football, netball, walking races, sack races, bicycle races, peeling races, board games and other activities, giving students an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities outside the classroom.
Elephant House emerged as the overall winner and also won the football competition, while Golden House, the second runner-up, received a jersey from the Guest of Honour’s delegation. Nyago also conveyed a reward of Shs500,000 to the young people and school band drummers.
The Headteacher, Dr. Hajat Amina Buyinza, and Deputy Headteacher Hakim Sseviri commended the students and organisers for putting together a successful celebration.
Sseviri also appreciated the Government of Uganda for its continued support to the education sector, including the phased enhancement of teachers’ salaries, and for maintaining the peace and security that allows schools to conduct both academic and co-curricular activities.
For Nyago, however, the message from the Sports Day went beyond winning trophies. It was a call for every student to make good choices, discover their potential and use sports as a pathway towards discipline, self-confidence, opportunity and a productive future.
Her experience at Jinja Secondary School and her involvement in developing football through Busoga United provided the students with a practical example of how sports can become an instrument for transforming young people’s lives and strengthening the institutions in which they study.
