Canon Kahigiriza retires, lauded for illustrious academic career

Renowned educationist and Head Teacher of Ndejje Senior Secondary School, Canon Dr. Charles Kahigiriza has been commended for his illustrious academic career and exemplary leadership.

Preaching at a special thanksgiving Service marking the beginning of his retirement at Ndejje SS today, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev Dr Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu described Canon Kahigiriza as a person of high integrity who served selflessly and diligently.

“Canon Kahigiriza has been one of our best performing Headteachers of our Church of Uganda founded Schools. He has boosted the infrastructure, academic and spiritual standard of Ndejje SS for the eleven years he has been here.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

He called for dialogue between the government and the Church to ensure proper management of Church founded education institutions.

“It’s very unfortunate that the government has proposed to scrap off development and foundation fees from our Church founded Schools. These are Church founded and government aided, not government confiscated. We must dialogue and have an equilibrium and harmonized management position.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

The Minister of Education and Sports, Hon Janet Kataha Museveni in a speech read for her by Hajji Ismail Mulindwa, the Director of Basic and Secondary Education, applauded Canon Kahigiriza’s role in the transformation of the education sector in Uganda.

She commended Church of Uganda’s contribution towards providing quality education by establishing the biggest number of Schools in the country.

Canon Dr Charles Kahigiriza who until December last year served as the Chairperson of Church of Uganda Heads of Education Institutions Association (COUHEIA), retired today after 35 years of teaching.

In his remarks, he highlighted that during his tenure at Ndejje SS, student enrollment has risen from 1200 to 2632 students, budget from 3Bn to 15Bn shillings, and staff from 80 to 135.

He said that students and staff have gained exposure both locally and internationally. According to Canon Kahigiriza, 18 teachers have pursued Masters Degrees while 3 teachers are on their PhD’s in different parts of the world.

He was recently appointed the University Secretary of Ndejje University, a Chartered privately owned University by a Consortium of six Church of Uganda Dioceses; Namirembe, Mukono, Central Buganda, Luwero, Mityana and West Buganda.

He is a Lay Canon of West Buganda Diocese responsible for education and interfaith relations.

Bishop Wilson Kisekka (Luwero Diocese), Bishop Moses Banja (Namirembe Diocese), Bishop Enos Kito Kagodo (Mukono Diocese), Bishop Henry Katumba Tamale (West Buganda Diocese), Bishop Hannington Suubi (East Busoga Diocese) and Bishop Dr. Hannington Mutebi (Diocese of Kampala) attended the Service.

Also in attendance were Retired Bishops; Eridard Nsubuga (Luwero Diocese), James William Ssebaggala (Mukono Diocese), Eria Paul Luzinda (Mukono Diocese) and Dunstan Bukenya (Mityana Diocese).

Buganda Kingdom’s Katikiro (Prime Minister) was represented by Owek. Ronald Mulondo, the Saza County Chief of Bulemezi. Also in attendance from Buganda Kingdom was Owek Cotilda Nakate Kikomeko Minister of Social services (Education; Health) and Nnaabagereka’s office and Owek. Henry Ssekabembe, a former Minister in the Kingdom.

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