Mbarara High School, popularly known as CHAAPA, has banned joint male–female “Sosh” or prom parties and replaced them with candidates’ picnic trips, citing Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines that prohibit such entertainment activities in post-primary institutions.
In a letter dated February 7, 2026, addressed to parents and guardians of Senior Four and Senior Six candidates, school management said the decision follows government guidelines issued in May 2025.
“Following the guidelines of the safe conduct of events and co-curricular activities for post-primary institutions that appeared in Circular No. 7/2025 dated May 16, 2025, we wish to inform you about the manner in which parties outside school shall be conducted,” the letter reads.
The school cited provisions in the guidelines that prohibit entertainment activities involving male and female learners mingling, describing them as inappropriate, unsafe, and potentially exploitative.
“In the guidelines which aim at safeguarding students against inappropriate, exploitative and unsafe entertainment, parties inside school involving male and female learners mingling are prohibited,” the letter adds.
The decision has sparked debate among parents and education stakeholders, with some questioning whether such bans promote discipline and moral values or deny learners healthy, guided social interaction, especially in single-sex schools.
According to the school management, the banned activities encourage learners to pair up into romantic relationships, which the guidelines also prohibit.
“Encouraging and allowing learners to pair up or make couples during entertainment events, in imitation of marriage or romantic relationships, is strictly prohibited,” the letter states.
The school informed parents that joint male–female parties have been discontinued and that the terms “Sosh” and “Prom” will no longer be used.
“In view of the above, we wish to inform you, dear parent or guardian, that going forward, the culture of holding joint male–female parties has been stopped. The word ‘Sosh’ or ‘Prom’ is no more, hence the phrase candidates’ trip or picnic,” the letter reads.
Instead, candidates will participate in organized picnic trips at a fee. The school said the first trip will take place from February 20 to 21, 2026.
“The candidates’ trip will take place from February 20–21, 2026. Each candidate will be required to contribute UGX 120,000 towards the success of this trip,” the school said.
The administration also commended parents for their continued support in nurturing disciplined and well-rounded boys.
For years, it has been common practice for single-sex schools in western Uganda to jointly organize leavers’ parties, pairing boys’ and girls’ schools for end-of-cycle celebrations. Popular partnerships have included IMMA–CHAAPA, linking Immaculate Heart Girls School Nyakibare and Mbarara High School; Bweranyangi–Ntare; and MaryHill–CHAAPA.
According to the school, such joint “Sosh” arrangements will no longer be permitted under the new guidelines.
