Bishop Kagodo calls on parents to sustain support for children’s education despite economic challenges

13 June 2026, 10:34 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Bishop of Mukono Diocese, Rt. Rev. Enos Kitto Kagodo, has advised all education stakeholders, especially parents, to continue supporting their children despite the current financial challenges facing the country.

The Bishop made the remarks during a diocesan-wide inspection and monitoring tour of Church of Uganda-founded schools in Mukono District. The tour began at Kikubo Church of Uganda Primary School and Katosi Church of Uganda Primary School in Nsanja Parish, Mpumu Archdeaconry.

During the visit, Bishop Kagodo commended teachers for nurturing learners in both academic and spiritual development.

“Parents are the foundation upon which these schools stand. It is our collective responsibility to support these institutions so that they can provide quality education and holistic development for our children, who are our future inheritance. I encourage parents to ensure that their children are well nourished and protected from diseases associated with poor nutrition. I also urge them to be cautious of self-interested politicians whose actions may undermine the education and welfare of our children,” he said.

In his address, the Head Teacher of Kikubo Church of Uganda Primary School, Mr. David Magino, appreciated the Bishop for visiting the school and outlined some of the challenges affecting the institution.

He cited political interference in school affairs, with some politicians reportedly misleading communities into believing that parents should not contribute towards school development. He also highlighted inadequate community sensitization by local leaders regarding the importance of the school, which has contributed to vandalism and theft of school property, resulting in developmental setbacks.

However, Magino reported remarkable progress since his deployment in 2021, including an increase in enrolment from 40 to 477 learners, the establishment of a Head Teacher’s office, and other infrastructural improvements.

“Your Lordship, despite the challenges we face, we remain committed to instilling strong values in our children. We assure you that by the time you return, significant progress and positive transformation will have taken place at this school,” he said.

At Katosi Church of Uganda Primary School, the Head Teacher, Ms. Miriam Mugabi, briefed the Bishop on some of the challenges facing the school.

She noted that the school’s location exposes learners to excessive noise pollution, which disrupts lessons and affects concentration. She also highlighted a shortage of teaching staff, poor sanitation caused by flooding during the rainy season, and limited land for future expansion.

“As Your Lordship can see, the lake has traditionally been the main source of livelihood for most families in this community. With fishing activities greatly reduced, many parents have migrated elsewhere in search of alternative means of survival, directly affecting enrolment at the school,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Diocesan Education Secretary, Rev. Seezi Musoke, encouraged teachers at both schools to continue upgrading their academic qualifications. He reminded them that planned government salary enhancements for teachers are likely to be linked to educational attainment and professional qualifications, urging them to take advantage of opportunities for further training and career development.

Addressing the gathering, Bishop Kagodo revealed his intention to engage leaders at all levels across the Diocese to emphasize the indispensable role parents play in supporting schools.

He also appealed to the government not to continue frustrating fishermen who depend on the lake for their livelihood. Instead, he urged authorities to adopt policies and programmes that enable communities to benefit sustainably from the lake while protecting aquatic resources.

The Bishop further encouraged pupils to honour and respect their parents, remain focused on their studies, and work diligently towards achieving their goals. He urged them to uphold the values and lessons they receive as they grow into responsible citizens.

In line with the Diocese’s educational and spiritual formation programme, pupils from the two schools demonstrated their knowledge of Psalms and hymns assigned to different classes from Primary One to Primary Seven. The Bishop commended the learners for their impressive performance and commitment to spiritual growth.