PRESIDENT MUSEVENI APPRECIATES FORMER ST. HENRYS COLLEGE HEADTEACHER BR. DR. MUGABO FOR IMPROVING THE EDUCATION SECTOR

Dr. Augustine Mugabo has been recognized by President Museveni as a hardworking and visionary educationalist who improved the education sector in Masaka City.

President Museveni held a mega rally at Masaka Liberation Square on Monday 22, 2025 and said Dr. Mugabo is the best performing educationalist who initiated the idea of renovating secondary Schools in the area such as St. Henry’s College Kitovu and Masaka Secondary Schools to him and they have been able to achieve what Dr. Mugabo presented to him thus far.

During the mega rally, President Museveni said  Mugabo has deliberately done a very good job in developing the education sector, and when he approached him and requested him to assist them in funding the schools and be constructed too, they were able to achieve it.

“It is disappointing that your area Member of Parliaments and opposition leaders can’t ask for me anything yet Br. Augustine Mugabo, told me about the construction of the schools here and I was able to work with him and the schools were built,” said President Museveni adding that today the world needs skilled people and the government built up skilling institutions should be embraced too.

He said the family of Mr. Ponsiano Kakoma should be helped by the government for the good work they did for the government. Earlier before the Mega rally at Liberation Square, President Museveni had given out cars to the religious leaders in the area through State House Controller Ms Jane Barekye.

For Clarity, 2.5 billion were used to renovate St. Henrys College Kitovu and the college today holds a good facility such as a constructed Laboratory and better classrooms for the students.

According to President Museveni, other schools that were constructed include, Kijjabwemi Secondary School for the Anglican Church with a tune of Shs. 1 billion funding from the government and Kaddugala Secondary School which was constructed with a tune of 2.5 billion shilling thus far.

Who is Br. Mugabo?

Few educators have embodied the spirit and transformative power of literature like Brother Augustine Mugabo, former Head Teacher of St. Henry’s College Kitovu (SHACK), a prestigious boys’ school in Masaka City founded by the White Fathers in 1922. His life, teachings, and leadership leave behind a legacy that transcends mere academic excellence—it reflects dedication, vision, and a profound love for the holistic development of students.

Brother Mugabo, now retired yet far from idle, remains a beacon of mentorship and intellectual guidance. Soft-spoken and philosophical, he blends wisdom with practical advice, inspiring generations of students, teachers, and community members. Known for his articulate command of literature, poetry, and artistic expression, he cultivated a culture where learning became both a joy and a path to societal contribution. Beyond teaching, Mugabo’s life reflects versatility—he is a cattle farmer, a sports enthusiast, and a philanthropist, having led Buddu Football team to victories in the Masaza Cup and instilled discipline, teamwork, and leadership among his students.

Hailing from Kabwoko Village in Masaka City, Brother Mugabo’s early life was shaped by humility, diligence, and family influence. His father, also a teacher, instilled in him the values of hard work and intellectual pursuit.

From a young age, Mugabo demonstrated an innate love for books, teaching, and craftsmanship, excelling in carpentry alongside his academic interests. His formative education at Bishop Ddungu Primary School, St. John’s Kabwoko, and St. Charles Lwanga-Kasasa laid the foundation for a career that would leave an indelible mark on Uganda’s education landscape.

At only 17, Mugabo began teaching at St. Cecilia Girls’ Primary School, Villa Maria, under government employment—a modest start with a salary of Shs 2,000 per month, yet fueled by passion rather than wealth.

His early years were guided by a belief that teaching is a vocation of service, a philosophy that would define his career. Mugabo’s spiritual calling led him to join the Brothers of Christian Instruction, where he immersed himself in philology, philosophy, and biblical studies, further honing his analytical and moral guidance skills.

His professional journey included teaching at Ibanda Secondary School and St. Edwards, Bukuumi, Kibaale District, demonstrating a commitment to broadening his experience and mastering the art of pedagogy.

 Mugabo pursued higher education at Kyambogo University, earning a Bachelor of Arts with Education in 2005, while simultaneously gaining practical teaching experience at St. Leo’s-Kyegobe Secondary School in Fort Portal. These experiences laid the groundwork for his lifelong philosophy that education must empower the mind and shape character.

Joining St. Henry’s College Kitovu in 2005, Mugabo arrived at a school with 900 students, driven by a hunger to uplift academic standards and nurture holistic growth. His exceptional commitment saw him rise to Deputy Head Teacher and, seven years later, to Head Teacher, leading a school that would eventually grow to 10,500 students under his stewardship.

Mugabo’s leadership style emphasized servant leadership: listening more, speaking less, and placing the welfare and growth of students and staff above all else.

A visionary, Mugabo formulated a ten-year strategic plan for St. Henry’s College Kitovu, emphasizing holistic education that transcends exam results. Under his guidance, students were not merely scholars but individuals equipped with critical thinking, creativity, and moral grounding.

He recruited over 80 teachers, expanded infrastructure, and ensured the school’s environment nurtured both academic excellence and character formation. His influence extended to alumni, parents, and the wider community, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
Brother Mugabo’s emphasis on literature and arts stands as one of his most enduring legacies.

He argued that not every student must be a scientist; the arts, social sciences, and humanities are essential to society’s intellectual and moral fabric. He encouraged practical learning, technical drawing, music, and creative expression, recognizing these as avenues for students to develop talents and achieve meaningful careers. Notable alumni, including Charles Peter Mayiga, the Buganda Kingdom Premier, reflect the impact of Mugabo’s insistence on nurturing both intellectual and creative capacities.

His tenure also saw the school embrace discipline, innovation, and modern management practices. Mugabo’s ability to coordinate with teachers, parents, the Catholic Church, and foundation bodies ensured St. Henry’s College Kitovu remained accountable, transparent, and visionary. The twelve-house system, including prominent houses like Gutter and California, became pillars of student life, fostering competition, camaraderie, and leadership development.

Beyond academics, Mugabo’s personal philosophy inspired countless students: “Reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation.

Through literature, we meditate with the minds of the greatest thinkers in history and develop our own reasoning.” His commitment to fostering self-reliance, intellectual curiosity, and moral integrity left a lasting imprint on every student and teacher who had the privilege to learn under his mentorship.

Upon his retirement, Brother Mugabo’s contributions were recognized with an honorary PhD, a testament to his lifelong dedication to education, literature, and societal development. Yet, his work continues to resonate in the ethos of St. Henry’s College Kitovu, now a thriving institution renowned for academic excellence, moral grounding, and holistic education.
In reflecting upon Brother Augustine Mugabo’s legacy, one sees a life dedicated to shaping minds, nurturing talents, and building character

From humble beginnings in Kabwoko Village to leading one of Uganda’s premier schools, his journey exemplifies resilience, vision, and unwavering commitment to education. For educators, students, and policymakers alike, his life serves as a guiding light—a blueprint for transforming institutions, empowering communities, and celebrating the transformative power of literature and learning.

Additionally, President Museveni said that he was in the Democratic Party in 1960 and 1970 he left them due to their lack of vision and formed the National Resistance Movement in order to serve the interests of all people.

“They had no plan and they also had a lot of problems and I couldn’t bear to be in Democratic Party because even today they are hypocrites,” said President Museveni.