By: Kayiira Jackson
A number of schools at all levels, the proprietors of recent target the business side and put less emphasis on the core value of the institution which is the academic and talent development.
This is very visible with the policies and regulations schools put to the scholars and their funders, starting school with zero balance or playing fees only two instalments. This leaves many kids miss basic education because the biggest percentage of Ugandans can’t go per the policies because low income levels.
The late Ssebudde Vincent saw it wise to have an education institution that can accommodate pupil of all nature regardless of their financial status, though he didn’t live to see is vision manifest but his children brought it to reality in 2012.
Rapha Primary School is the only school in Luweero district that doesn’t chase a pupil from the school because of school fees, the moment you enter the school, you study until you sit your PLE.
This Uniqueness has attracted a number of parents to trust the school and after 14 years of existence, Rapha is one of the best performing schools in Luweero according to statistics.
What is Rapha Primary School?
Rapha Primary School is a nursery and primary, mixed day and boarding school, established in 2012 as Rapha Junior Academy.
The School is located in Luweero Town, Situated just 40 miles along the Kampala-Gulu Highway in Luweero District a district in the Central Region of Uganda.
The school is affiliated with a mission: “Breeding a dynamic, innovative, and God-fearing generation for a better future;” but admission is based on academic performance and is open to any interested pupil, regardless of religious beliefs. The school has a reputation of being a leading academic center with a history of sporting achievements.
Rapha opened its doors with an initial enrollment of 47 pupils, ranging from kindergarten through Lower Primary, up to Primary Five. This number steadily increased throughout the first year, and since its inception, the school’s dynamic educational environment has continued to evolve.
How Rapha Primary School Vision come to reality?
The vision of Rapha Primary School originated from the dream of Mr. Ssebudde Vincent (May his soul rest in peace), who envisioned a generation of bright, quick-thinking young individuals. Following his passing, his sons, Mr. Ssebudde Joseph (Executive Director), Mr. Matovu Innocent Ssebudde, Mr. Ssebudde Thaddeus, and Mr. Mayinja Moses, brought this vision to life. Rapha Primary School was established in 2006, soon after one of their family meetings where they committed to realizing their father’s dream.
The foundation stone was laid on 20th January 2012, and since then, the school has experienced continuous growth. Most recently, on 9th July 2022, the Ssebudde Block was inaugurated by Bishop Eridard Nsubuga, marking another milestone in the school’s expansion as it was celebrating 10 years of education services.
The school’s academic performance
2015: Rapha was authorized to present its first Primary Seven candidates for the Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).
With a class of only 30 candidates, each one attained a first grade, establishing Rapha as the top-performing school in Luweero. It remains the only school in the district to consistently achieve a 100% first-grade pass rate. In the same year, the institution’s name was changed to Rapha Primary School, and by then, the school had expanded to offer all primary levels.
2018: 49 candidates, 46 in grade one and 3 in grade two.
2019: 50 candidates, 25 in grade one, 23 in grade two, and 2 in grade 3 2020: 60 candidates, 57 in grade one, and 3 candidates in grade two.
2021: was a dead year in Uganda as a nation where children never sat for Primary Leaving Exams due to closure of Schools because of Covid 19 pandemic.
2022: Registered 90 pupils to sit for Primary Leaving Examinations where one didn’t sit and the rest of the 89 registered first grades. This was the School’s major success in the 7 years of sitting for PLE. This is the year the school celebrated 10 years of academic foundation and Madam Bbosa Florence who is the District Education Officer of Luweero District was the Chief Guest.
In 2023, a total of 100 pupils registered, 89 passed in grade one, 10 passed in grade two and still 1 was absent for the final examinations. Rapha Primary school is also a center of education for large numbers of children from south Sudan, and many south Sudanese parents take advantage of enrolling their children into the school for its academic excellence and it being located on the main highway from South Sudan through Gulu – Nakasongola and Luweero.
Sports Excellence
The year, 2023 was a year of sports success as the school won the First Kabaka Football Cup which was the first Buganda cup in the entire district in the U14 Boys category under Coach Kakooza Ronald. This was attached to the very many accolades registered in the year;
Champions of U12 and U14 Boys football in Luweero Sub-cluster games where even Netball Girls registered their first trophy.
They were district champions of FUFA ODILO primary schools championship 2023 and Watoto Wasoka Primary Schools League in the U12 Football Category at the district.
This significance also led to the establishment of Rapha Football Academy that was registered through the Uganda Youth Football Association (UYFA).
2024, presented their first ever outside dedication party for the primary Seven Leavers which was organized on 11th October, 2024 at Divine Mercy Agritourism Center in Magoma, Nakaseke district. Divine Mercy Agritourism Center Inauguration happened on the day as the place was opening officially for operation activities. The new Bishop of Kasana – Luweero Diocess; His Grace Bishop Lawrence Mukasa was the Chief Guest to grace the grand opening.
