Uganda Martyrs' Secondary School Namugongo

Uganda Martyrs' Secondary School Namugongo
Location
Wakiso, Central Uganda Uganda
Information
Type	Private Middle School and High School (8-13)
Motto	Perseverance and Success
Established	1967
Principal	Fr. Henry Kasasa
Number of students	c. 1800
Athletics	Swimming, Basketball, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Netball
Nickname	Shrine College/Namugongo/NamG/UMSSN
Website	[1]

Uganda Martyrs' Secondary School Namugongo famously known as GONGOS or even just NAMUGONGO is a Privately Sponsored Secondary School in Uganda. The School is found in Kira Sub-County in Wakiso district.

The Uganda Martyrs were killed in 1886, but guided the founders, 81 years later, on the name Uganda Martyrs' S.S Namugongo. The inspiration of the martyrs had been such that they are extolled in the school anthem and are implored daily to intercede for and bestow blessings on the school community.

Lawrence Mbwega, the parish priest wrote a book in which he stated that three people should never be forgotten: Jeremiah Munyagwa, Helena Namazzi, and Joseph Mugerwa. The trio rallied the parents Namugongo Catholic parish and in 1967 they started the project. Mbwega's role was pivotal and together with Friar Semwogerere guided and supported the infant institution. Joseph Nkalubo, Joseph Nyungwe, Cosmas Lwanga Matayo Kamya, Paul Ssentamu, Elia Lwandasa, Leo Kibuuka, and Bruno Serunkuuma were also supportive in the founding and building years. On 3 September 1967, a founders' meeting raised UGX:2,570 as startup capital. Mbwega explains that the protectorate government did not want the multiplication of secondary schools. Starting a secondary school, at the time junior school, was an opposition to the government. "When we applied for a junior school we were told we had to send the student to either St. Peter's S.S Nsambya or to St. Joseph's Naggalama, the only catholic schools for the Mary Hill Fathers at the time. The children had to walk to Nsambya which was very difficult particularly for the girls. Hence the parents decided to start their own, Namugongo, "Mbwega recalls it hence started as a community project. Mugerwa in his nineties attributes the driving force behind the founding of the school to Mbwega's God-given gift of love for children and being among them. The school opened on 15 January 1967 with 27 students and four teachers. Others were part timers from Nabisunsa Girls Secondary School and Kyambogo College School with Charles Martins as the first head master. Mugerwa narrates that while the target was to enroll children of the area, the majority who were enrolled in the first years were from distant places. "The residents were not keen about enrolling their students at Namugongo. The students from the community started embracing the school during the time Dr. Muyingo was the Head teacher. In the first years the school was as local as were its first students. "Obwana Bwali local-local," he said, as greatly opposed to the present society of the school.

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