The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has officially commissioned Ruhengyere Army Primary School in Kayonza Parish, Kikatsi Sub-county, Nyabushozi County, Kiruhura District, marking another milestone in its commitment to improving access to quality education for soldiers’ families and surrounding communities.
The school is one of the educational institutions established under the Special Forces Command (SFC) as part of the UPDF’s broader strategy to bring essential social services closer to military personnel while also benefiting civilians living in neighbouring areas.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by the Joint Staff for Formal Education, Sports and Culture, Brig Gen. Richard Karemire, who praised the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for his steadfast support towards improving the welfare of soldiers and their families through education.
Brig Gen. Karemire noted that the successful construction of the school’s modern campus was made possible through the CDF’s continued commitment to education initiatives within the armed forces.
He also commended the leadership of the Special Forces Command for investing significant resources in developing UPDF schools, emphasizing that Ruhengyere Army Primary School is among the 53 educational institutions established by the UPDF to provide quality education, primarily for children of serving soldiers. This initiative, he explained, enables military personnel to focus fully on their constitutional responsibility of defending the country.
He observed that although the schools were initially established to serve soldiers’ families, they have increasingly become valuable educational centres for neighbouring communities. At Ruhengyere Army Primary School, civilian learners currently outnumber the children of soldiers.
“That is not a problem because, ultimately, we are educating Ugandans,” Brig Gen. Karemire remarked.
He added that the commissioning reflects the commitment of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, together with the UPDF, to addressing challenges facing military schools, including inadequate infrastructure, shortages of instructional materials and staffing gaps. He further reaffirmed the UPDF’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports to continue improving learning conditions in army-founded schools.
The Chairperson of the School Management Committee and Commander of the Commando Brigade, Col. CK Masembe, recounted the school’s journey since its establishment in 2022 by Maj. (Rtd) Julius Bamanya, who was then serving as the PC 2IDTS.
According to Col. Masembe, the school initially operated under challenging conditions, with classes conducted in a cookhouse, temporary structures and beneath tree shades. In 2023, the UPDF Directorate of Formal Education, Sports and Culture assumed responsibility for managing the institution.
He further revealed that following guidance from the Chief of Joint Staff, the Special Forces Command identified a suitable site, paving the way for the construction of the current modern school facilities.
School Head Teacher, Warrant Officer Class Two (WOII) Lubyayi, attributed the institution’s rapid growth to the strong support provided by the SFC Education Desk and the UPDF leadership in raising standards across military schools.
He disclosed that construction of the classroom blocks began in December 2025 and was completed in January 2026. The school now boasts three classroom blocks—two containing two classrooms each and another with three classrooms—alongside a fully functional administration block.
WOII Lubyayi also highlighted the school’s encouraging academic performance. Of the seven candidates who sat for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) last year, two attained First Grade while five earned Second Grade. He expressed confidence that the school’s ten current Primary Seven candidates will perform equally well in this year’s national examinations.
The commissioning ceremony attracted several dignitaries, including the Director of Education, Sports and Culture in the SFC, Col. Gilbert Owamagyezi; Commander of the 3 Domisha Brigade, Lt Col. Gabriel Lomongin; senior and junior UPDF officers; community leaders; political representatives; and parents, underscoring the broad support for the institution’s continued growth and success.
