The Commissioner for Secondary School Education, Mrs. Juliet Muzoora, has called on heads of Church of Uganda education institutions to mentor potential successors to ensure a smooth leadership transition.
Speaking at the Church of Uganda Heads of Education Institutions Association (COUHEIA) annual retreat held at Uganda Christian University, Mukono, Mrs. Muzoora emphasised the need for intentional leadership development to maintain continuity in administration after retirements or transfers.
She urged headteachers to identify and nurture promising staff members by encouraging professional development, attending workshops, and offering mentorship.
"Prepare your successors discreetly without subjecting them to public tests," she advised.
In addition, Mrs. Muzoora cautioned against unhealthy trends infiltrating schools, including the sale of harmful products in canteens and the use of gadgets promoting pornography and homosexuality.
Closing the two-day retreat, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, called on school leaders to work closely with parents to ensure students are well-fed at school, which he linked to academic performance.
"Where children are not fed, first grades are rare," he said.
He also urged administrators to plan for retirement early and support the Church's endowment fund.
Archbishop Kaziimba highlighted concerns over ghost employees and students on the government payroll, describing the malpractice as a threat to educational integrity.
During the event, the Archbishop launched the book Biblical Perspectives on Leadership, a collaborative work featuring contributions from prominent educators, including Bishop Prof. Alfred Olwa and Rev. Canon Dr. Paul Kakooza.
Building Resilience Amidst Crisis
Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe of South Ankole Diocese, in his presentation, urged school leaders to develop resilience in times of crisis and stress.
He advised against compromising situations that could lead to undue pressure, noting that stressed leaders often negatively impact their families and teams.
Mr. David Mugawe, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at Uganda Christian University, announced a new short course in Administrative Law aimed at equipping leaders with relevant management skills.
The retreat, themed “Conformity to God’s Truth Amidst Worldly Patterns,” featured morning devotions led by Bishop Godfrey Loum of the Diocese of Northern Uganda.
Discussions centered on digital leadership, school improvement strategies, and the challenges faced by both Universal and Non-Universal Secondary Schools and Primary Schools.