Resilience In Rwenzori: Bubukwanga SS Records 96% Pass Rate Despite Staffing & Infrastructure Challenges

By Swift Reporter 

As part of the Office of the National Chairman’s ongoing efforts to ensure effective service delivery and promote quality education, the ONC Coordinator for Rwenzori Subregion, Mr. Kyalimpa Ausen, representing the In Charge of ONC, Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, conducted a monitoring visit to Bubukwanga Secondary School in Bubukwanga Subcounty, Bundibugyo District.

Established in 1999 during the ADF insurgency, Bubukwanga Secondary School initially operated as a private institution under the Catholic Church before being taken over by the government in 2005.

Headed by Mr. Balyebulya Anthony, the school serves as a critical education center for children from underprivileged families, providing access to learning in a remote and challenging area.

During the visit, Mr. Ausen engaged with the Headmaster and school administration to assess infrastructure, student performance, and welfare.

Challenges noted included low student turnout due to seasonal cocoa farming, delayed enrollment, and reluctance of students during the early weeks of term.

Despite these challenges, the school recorded an impressive 96% pass rate in the 2025 UCE examinations, with 165 students registered and 159 passing.

This achievement reflects the dedication of the teachers, the resilience of the students, and the support of parents.

Mr. Ausen highlighted several urgent needs requiring government intervention construction of additional classrooms, a girls’ changing room, a teachers’ house, and a library.

Currently, only 12 teachers are government paid, while 15 teachers and 11 support staff rely on parental contributions, placing significant financial strain on the school.

He also drew attention to stalled infrastructure projects under the APL1 World Bank initiative, including two classrooms and a teachers’ house contracted to Kamua International.

These projects have remained incomplete for 16 years despite an allocated budget of UGX 250 million.

“Reviving these projects is crucial to providing a conducive learning environment, supporting academic excellence, and empowering youth in the Rwenzori Subregion,” Mr. Ausen emphasized.

The ONC Coordinator commended Headmaster Balyebulya Anthony and the school administration for their dedication and resilience.

He urged the Ministry of Education, district leadership, and other stakeholders to prioritize support for Bubukwanga Secondary School to expand facilities and ensure sustainable education delivery.

According to Mr. Ausen, “this monitoring visit provides firsthand insights that will be communicated to Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo to engage relevant authorities for support.Together, we can ensure the school continues to deliver quality education and nurture the next generation of leaders,”