Nyakasura School Celebrates 100 Years - a Legacy of Innovative Teaching, Research, and the Nurturing of Creative, Critical Thinkers | Laudato Youth Initiative

Laudato Voices | Nyakasura School Centenary | Thursday, March 26, 2026

We joined the Laudato Si Club of Nyakasura School. Together, we commemorate the institution’s 100-year legacy of innovation and sustainability.

*Laudato Youth at Nyakasura School standing besides the monument of Ernest Ebohard Calwell founder of the school. Photo Credit: Laudato Youth Initiative*

Founder of Nyakasura School

In 1926, Lieutenant Commander Ernest Ebohard Calwell, a Scottish naval officer and teacher who previously taught at King’s College Budo, founded Nyakasura School in Fort Portal, Western Uganda. Since its founding in 1926, Nyakasura School has maintained its Scottish traditions and historic administration buildings built by the founder, Calwell.

*Students Walking wearing Scottish traditional kilt uniform walk by the schools’ iconic Administration Building built in 1926 by Ernest Ebohard Calwell. Photo Credit: Laudato Youth Initiative*

Name of the School

Nyakasura is named after a nearby stream. Supported by Tooro King Daudi Gasagama, the school was established in 1926, complementing Kyebambe Girls’ School (founded in 1910).

Infrastructure and contribution to Fort Portal Tourism City

The school’s first administration block, built in 1926 from mud and local bricks, is still in excellent condition. Recognized by the Uganda Culture Foundation as a traditional tourism building, it has remained unchanged for 100 years. Nyakasura School stands as one of Uganda’s historical institutions. Its unique infrastructure and uniforms distinguish it from every other school in the country.

The First School Administration block built in 1926 the block shines with well maintained roofs fitted with water harvesting provisions a sustainable model school. You cant miss a dustbin in any corner of Nyakasura School. Photo Credit Laudato Youth Initiative

The School Uniform

Nyakasura School is renowned for upholding its Scottish traditions. Head teacher Reverend Dr. Richardson Rwabuhinga noted, “I have received coverage from people in Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Ethiopia. They come to take videos of Nyakasura because of its kilt uniform. This makes the school truly unique.”

Nyakasura School Boys wearing the famous kilts that many confuse with ‘Skirts’. When you observe in the middle back near Commader Calwell’s monument is a girl is in a skirt. Photo Credit Laudato Youth Initiative

How the Scottish wear came about

The school uniform dates back to the school’s founding. Commander Calwell, disagreeing with the requirement for boys to wear trousers at Budo, preferred shorts. This difference led him and Tooro King Daudi to establish a new school in Nyakasura village, where Calwell was given land and thus founded Nyakasura School in 1926.

Why Innovations, Research, and Sustainability

Throughout its history, the school has led innovations in Uganda. It was the first to generate its own electricity and to pump water from a kilometer away with locally developed technology. During the centenary, Reverend Dr. Richardson Balinda, the head teacher, highlighted these achievements to the media. Nyakasura was also the first school in Uganda to build a swimming pool. Today our involvement with the Laudato Si Club is a broader effort to strengthen the innovative legacy and service through greening initiatives.

*Laudato Si Club members at Nyakasura School monitor their fruit tree nursery bed in which they grow trees to plant at school and in the community of Nyakasura. Photo Credit Laudato Youth Initiative*

Sustainability is a legacy to be celebrated.

In preparations for the centenary in 2025, the school community, led by Laudato Si Club students, contributed to Fort Portal City by spending a day cleaning its streets. This initiative fulfilled the vision of the then Mayor Asaba Edson Ruyonga, who encouraged “go green fort portal” efforts during the club’s launch at Nyakasura School. The club continues this environmental legacy.

Its old students

Thousands of men and women have been educated at this institution. They include lawyers, politicians, teachers, engineers, and community leaders who have transformed the Tooro region and the nation. Notable alumni include Rukirabasaija Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo (Rwamuhokya) Oliimi III, the late King of Tooro; Dr. Crispus Kiyonga, a politician and diplomat, who has called on alumni to help rebuild the school; Andrew Mwenda, a Ugandan print, radio, and television journalist; and Patrick Bitature, a business entrepreneur.

*Laudato Si Club meeting under the serene outside environment with trees, beside the historical chapel building. Photo Credit Laudato Youth Initiative*

As Nyakasura School marks its 100 years, the Laudato Youth Initiative wishes to honor and pray for Mr. Kakoko Baingana Moses, Amooti whose legacy endures and is fondly remembered for inspiring students to embrace Agribusiness.

*From Left Rev Richardson Balinda (Head Teacher), Middle Br. Adolf and Right the Late Mr. Kakoko Moses*

When approached for a statement, our Laudato Youth Initiative mentor, Adolf, reflected on Mr. Kakoko, Moses Amooti as an inspirational high school teacher who shared valuable wisdom with him. “I always appreciated visiting his agricultural gardens and animal farm at Nyakasura School. Mr. Kakoko Moses Amooti possessed a remarkable sense of humor and was dedicated to transforming and uplifting young people’s mindsets.”

*Laudato Si Club Members at Nyakasura School with their Club Patron Mr. Daniel Rusahura on a field excursion to enhance hands-on learning. Photo Credit Laudato Youth Initiative*

On Thursday, 26 March 2025, Nyakasura School will officially mark 100 years since its founding with a grand centenary celebration at the school’s campus, featuring various cultural performances, alumni tributes, and keynote speeches, with His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda, expected to attend as guest of honor.