📷 Appreciate the good things we do — Bishop Mwesigwa

KAMPALA - The Bishop of Ankole Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa has urged Africans to learn to appreciate some of the good that they do better than the whites, instead of carrying on the common perception that the Western world is always better. 

He said that having taught in various schools in Uganda and later in the United Kingdom (UK), he discovered that the Ugandan education system is far better than what he personally experienced when he taught in public schools in England. 

Bishop Rt. Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa's book titled, ‘Contrasting Ironies - English and Ugandan State Secondary Schools’. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

He revealed that the UK education system had gone so low due to students' indiscipline, which he said has consequently bogged down the morale of teachers, many of whom he says have given up the profession.

He warned educationists in Uganda that if nothing is done, some of the negative practices that had killed the English system might also affect Uganda. 

The Rt. Rev. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa urged Africans to learn to appreciate some of the good that clerics do better than the whites, instead of carrying on the common perception that the Western world is always better. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

He warned that he had started seeing some of these vices, including lack of discipline, values and religious ethics in primary and secondary schools.

He explained that Uganda’s success stories in the education sector were mainly because children from mainly ‘third world schools’ attach high values to their education, they are highly disciplined and respect their teachers, which motivates them to continue serving despite low salary pay and lack of resources.

The bishop, who doubles as the Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara, and an active teacher made the remarks during the launch of his book titled, ‘Contrasting Ironies - English and Ugandan State Secondary Schools’. 

Bishop Mwesigwa (L) explained that Uganda’s success stories in the education sector were mainly because children from mainly ‘third world schools’ attach high values to their education, they are highly disciplined and respect their teachers, which motivates them to continue serving despite low salary pay and lack of resources. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The 288-page book was launched at Fair Way Hotel in Kampala on October 16, 2024.

The function was attended by old girls of Kibubura Girls’ Secondary School in Ibanda district where the bishop taught for many years and served as a deputy head teacher and chaplain.

He also taught at Ntare School and at the Yorkshire Region of Leeds where he served as a supply teacher.

Col Edith Nakalema (L), including old girls of Kibubura Girls’ Secondary School in Ibanda district where the bishop taught for many years and served as a deputy head teacher and chaplain, among others attended the function. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

In his book, he writes stories of the contrasting ironies of his experience of teaching at Kibubura Girls’ SS, which was regarded as a third-world school but was able to produce good students who have made it in life and what he saw in the UK.  

He says that despite studying in powerful public schools, which are well-equipped with well-trained teachers, many students lack discipline and seem to be above their teachers, many of whom have surrendered their authority to the students.

He says unlike in Uganda, students in UK disrespect their teachers, dodge classes, and harass fellow students, among other things.

The 288-page book was launched at Fair Way Hotel in Kampala on October 16, 2024. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

“But in Uganda, we have stories of children from the so-called ‘poor standard schools’ who were nobodies, but the Lord has raised them to big personalities in the country because of the value they attached to their education,” he said.

Present at the function were his wife, Dr. Alice Mwesigwa and daughter Shivan Nsimenta, Senior Presidential Advisor on Economic Affairs, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, who was the chief guest and the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education and Sports, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda.   

The bishop (Pictured), who doubles as the Chancellor of Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara, and an active teacher remarks during the launch of his book titled, ‘Contrasting Ironies - English and Ugandan State Secondary Schools’. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

“I have noted that there are several cases of indiscipline and drug abuse cropping up in some schools, and if not handled well, might affect our good education system,” he stated.

Several old girls who spoke at the event hailed Kibubura Girls’ SS, saying the strict enforcement of discipline and religious values had shaped them into now responsible citizens.

Some of the old girls of Kibubura Girls’ Secondary School in Ibanda district who graced the event. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

The old girls of Kibubura included Col. Edith Nakalema, the head of the State House Investors Protection Unit, Dr. Joveline Kalisa, deputy coordinator of the Parish Development Model (PDM), Dr. Janestic Mwende Twikirize, associate professor of social work at Makerere University, Dr. Christine Charity Mwebesa Special Presidential Assistant for Economic Affairs. Other OGs include Deborah Natujuna, head of exploration at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Uganda, and Lady Justice Dr. Immaculate Busingye of the Land Division, among others.    

The function was attended by Prof. John Mugisha, the vice chancellor Bishop Stuart University, Dr. Charles Kahigiriza, the University Secretary and Secretary to Council at Ndejje University, among others. 

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Below is a picture highlight as Bishop Mwesigwa launched his book titled, ‘Contrasting Ironies - English and Ugandan State Secondary Schools’ at  Fair Way Hotel in Kampala on October 16, 2024. (All Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)