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Mpondwe Moslem Vocational School Battles Classroom Crisis to Secure Its Future
The Rt. Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament is expected to officiate as chief guest at the event on July 13, 2025 to Fundraise 395 Million to construct a storeyed block of 8 Classrooms.
By Ivan Kaahwa
Mpondwe Moslem Vocational Secondary School located in Mpondwe Lhubiriha town Council Kasese District is a community Muslim based school offering secondary education.
Established in 2002 under the Uganda Moslem Supreme Council (UMSC) Bwera Main Mosque, the school was founded by 10 leaders led by Muhammad Matte, then Chairperson of Bukonzo County UMSC. Their mission was to provide education to the underprivileged, promote peaceful coexistence and equip learners with hands on skills for employment.
According to the Headteacher, Bwambale Joab Kitalemire, the school began with just 14 learners (10 boys and 4 girls) but now has 509 students comprising 294 females and 215 males served by 37 teaching staff. The school recently secured a land title from Bwera Main Mosque and is considering infrastructure expansion.
The school faces a severe shortage of classrooms. Some lessons are held under trees exposing students to harsh weather. Existing buildings are incomplete and inadequate for the growing population. To address the crisis, the school is organizing a fundraising drive to raise UGX 395 million to construct a storeyed block of 8 Classrooms. The Rt. Hon. Deputy Speaker of Parliament is expected to officiate as chief guest at the event on July 13, 2025.
Overwhelmed Facilities and Staff Shortages
The school lacks enough teachers for science subjects. Students often go a whole week without mathematics classes as the only available teacher teaches on Saturdays. The biology teacher appears only twice a week and the laboratory is shared by Senior Six students limiting access to practicals.
“Science practicals are done two weeks before final exams because we don’t have enough space,” says Twalib Hamis, a Senior Five BCM/ICT student.
ICT lessons are also strained. Until recently, the school had only one computer. Five more computers have since been acquired but they are squeezed into a room that also serves as a reception and staffroom.
“In my class, 16 of us offer ICT. We use computers in shifts which affects our learning pace,” says Ainamani Iman, a Form Four student.
She adds that some teachers work in as many as six different schools a reality that greatly impacts lesson delivery.
Hope in Government Support
The school has applied for government aided status to access sustainable assistance especially to pay teachers and ensure that financially struggling students can sit for final exams.
UMSC Chairman for Bukonzo West, Rashid Bwambale urged the community to support education.
“Islam emphasizes education. Without it, one cannot claim to know Islam,” he said.
He added that the school offers a dual curriculum combining Islamic values with the national curriculum to develop morally upright, self-respecting and employable students.
Rashid commended Minister Godfrey Kabbyanga for supporting the school’s fundraising drive and expressed hope that the funds would also help complete the Muslim House in Kasese District.
A Community Determined to Rise
The School Board Chairman Mugyenyi Amos says the project gives hope to the community and learners. However, the school’s limited budget cannot support teachers adequately and there are no staff quarters.
Despite being near the volatile border with eastern Congo, the school has enjoyed peace. Mugyenyi thanked President Museveni for national stability and lauded Minister Kabbyanga, also the Bukonzo West MP candidate for his mobilization efforts. He called the planned visit by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa a milestone, saying:
“This is the highest-ranking official ever hosted for a school fundraising drive.”
Fair Performance Despite Challenges
The school’s academic performance remains encouraging. Since its inception, students have consistently passed in Division One.
In 2024, 15 candidates sat for UACE. Masika Faridah scored 16 points in Arts and ranked best in the district. Of the two candidates who sat for PCB in the district, Kambale Sayid from Mpondwe Moslem scored 14 points.
The administration believes that improved facilities will not only enhance student performance but also attract more learners.
