Kampala, Uganda — Kololo High School has held its annual Sports Day, bringing together learners from different communities across Kampala in a colourful celebration aimed at promoting talent, physical fitness, teamwork and practical skills under the theme “Education for Self-Employment through Skills and Talent Promotion.”
The event was presided over by the Guest of Honour, Hon. Cissy Mulondo, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, General Duties, whose message was delivered by Madam Hope Nyago, former Headteacher of Jinja Secondary School.
In her message, the Minister commended Kololo High School for maintaining sports as an important component of education, noting that sports provide learners with opportunities to identify and develop talents that can contribute to their future livelihoods.
The Minister emphasized that physical fitness and sports should not be viewed merely as recreational activities, but as part of holistic education capable of preparing young people for opportunities beyond the classroom.
She encouraged learners to embrace sports alongside their academic studies, pointing out that talent in areas such as football, athletics, netball and other sporting disciplines can open doors in the employment and professional world.
Madam Hope Nyago also conveyed the Minister’s appreciation for the longstanding friendship between her and the school community, as well as her support for activities that are in line with the Ministry of Education and Sports calendar.
Sports Day at Kololo High School comes at a time when the school continues to bring together young people from different backgrounds within Kampala City. Located in the heart of Kampala, the school serves learners from a wide range of communities, including young people from less-privileged and densely populated areas of the city. The gathering of these learners on one field, competing together while respecting one another, makes the annual sports event an important platform for unity, discipline and social transformation.
Beyond physical fitness, participation in sport helps young people develop discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience, confidence and the ability to work towards common goals. The school’s emphasis on combining academic learning with co-curricular development therefore provides learners with a broader foundation for life beyond school.
The Headteacher, Dr. Hajat Amina Buyinza, welcomed the learners’ participation and the colourful display of talent during the annual celebration, emphasizing the importance of nurturing learners beyond academic achievement.
The Deputy Headteacher, Hakim Sseviri, commended the participating houses for the quality of their performances, emphasizing that the focus was on meaningful participation and developing learners’ abilities rather than simply pursuing numbers.
Sseviri also appreciated the Government of Uganda for supporting the education sector through the regular payment and phased enhancement of teachers’ salaries, noting the importance of motivated teachers in delivering quality education. He further expressed appreciation for the continued peace and security in the country, saying a stable environment enables schools to conduct learning and co-curricular activities effectively.
The school community also maintained its tradition of providing learners with a special lunch during the annual celebration, adding to the excitement and sense of community at the event.
Two participating students described the Sports Day as an important opportunity to come together outside the classroom, interact with colleagues and discover their abilities. They highlighted the value of sports in building confidence, teamwork and discipline while encouraging fellow learners to take advantage of the sporting opportunities provided by the school.
The competitions featured a wide range of activities, including football, netball, walking races, sack races, bicycle races, peeling races and board games, alongside entertainment from the school band and drummers.
Several houses took part in the different competitions, with Elephant House emerging as the overall winner and also triumphing in the football competition.
The Guest of Honour further rewarded the young people and members of the school band with Shs500,000, while Golden House, which finished as the second runner-up, received a jersey as part of the recognition of the learners’ efforts.
The celebrations ended on a high note, with students, teachers and guests joining together to celebrate talent, sportsmanship and the role of education in preparing young people not only for employment, but also for self-employment and productive participation in society.
For Kololo High School, the annual Sports Day is therefore more than a competition. It is a demonstration of how education can bring together young people from different backgrounds, nurture their talents and equip them with the confidence, discipline and practical skills needed to shape their own future.