Power Struggle: Mukono High School in Limbo As Diocese Rejects Government Pick

A clash between the Mukono Diocese and Uganda’s Ministry of Education over the appointment of a new head teacher for Mukono High School has sparked concerns about the school’s future.

Summary:

• Mukono Diocese and the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports are locked in a power struggle over the appointment of a new head teacher for Mukono High School
• The Ministry selected Mr. Richard Katongole, currently the deputy head teacher at Mukono Bishops’ Secondary School, to succeed the retiring Mr. Fredrick Mbaziira Kawumi.
• The situation remains unresolved, with the Diocese and the Ministry at an impasse

The Ministry’s chosen candidate has been rejected by the Diocese, who claim they weren’t consulted. This standoff raises questions about leadership, potential disruption for students, and the wider implications for the Ugandan education system.

The Mukono Diocese and the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports are locked in a power struggle over the appointment of a new head teacher for Mukono High School. The Ministry selected Mr. Richard Katongole, currently the deputy head teacher at Mukono Bishops’ Secondary School, to succeed the retiring Mr. Fredrick Mbaziira Kawumi.

However, the Diocese, claiming a lack of consultation, has rejected Mr. Katongole’s appointment and insists that Mr. Kawumi remain in place until the end of the academic year. The Diocese, as founders of Mukono High School, argue that they should have been involved in the selection process.

Bishop Enos Kitto Kagodo expressed surprise at the Ministry’s decision and stated that the Diocese would not accept a head teacher they had not “fully scrutinised”. He further explained that, following the Ministry’s advice, he had submitted alternative candidates for consideration.

The Ministry of Education, however, maintains that retaining Mr. Kawumi beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 is untenable. Minister John Chrysestom Muyingo acknowledged the Diocese’s request but explained that it contradicts existing policy. He proposed further dialogue between the Diocese and the Ministry to find a suitable replacement for Mr. Kawumi.

This dispute has raised concerns about potential negative consequences for the school, its students, and the broader Ugandan education system. The uncertainty surrounding the leadership transition could be disruptive, especially for students preparing for their final examinations.

The public nature of the disagreement could also harm the school’s reputation. Mr. Katongole, while acknowledging the dispute, declined to comment publicly. Mr. Kawumi expressed his willingness to stay on and oversee the upcoming Uneb examinations, a sentiment echoed by many parents who have commended his leadership.

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The situation remains unresolved, with the Diocese and the Ministry at an impasse. The outcome of this standoff will have significant implications for Mukono High School and could set a precedent for similar disputes in the future.