Sir Apollo Kaggwa Primary School Kira officially reached a significant milestone in its journey of sports development on Friday, 27th February 2026, with the grand commissioning of a newly constructed state-of-the-art basketball court. The landmark occasion reaffirmed the school’s unwavering commitment to providing a holistic education that seamlessly integrates academic excellence, discipline, character formation, and structured talent development.
Held under the inspiring theme “Dribble Your Way to Greatness,” the colourful ceremony attracted an impressive gathering of pupils, parents, school administrators, invited guests, and leading personalities from Uganda’s basketball fraternity. The vibrant atmosphere reflected the excitement surrounding a project that is expected to transform basketball development within the school and inspire countless young learners to pursue their sporting dreams.
Adding glamour to the historic occasion was celebrated sports presenter Sera Yaweh of Next Media Services (NBS Sport), who served as the master of ceremonies. Her lively moderation kept the audience fully engaged throughout the event, creating memorable moments as pupils enthusiastically welcomed distinguished guests and celebrated the school’s latest investment in sporting excellence.
The event was graced by representatives from the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA), led by Vice President for Administration Hudson Ssegamwenge, who officiated as the Chief Guest. His presence underscored the growing importance of investing in grassroots basketball development and strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and national sports bodies.
Also present were reigning National Basketball League champions Namuwongo Blazers and fellow top-flight side JT Jaguars, whose participation demonstrated their commitment to nurturing the next generation of Ugandan basketball talent. Their involvement highlighted the strong relationship between professional basketball clubs and schools dedicated to developing young athletes.
A defining moment of the ceremony came with the official ribbon-cutting, symbolising the commissioning of the modern basketball facility. The impressive court immediately came to life as it hosted an entertaining exhibition match between Namuwongo Blazers and JT Jaguars. The thrilling contest treated pupils and guests to a spectacular display of elite basketball skills, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, leaving many young spectators inspired to dream of one day competing at the highest level.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chief Guest Hudson Ssegamwenge commended the leadership of the Sir Apollo Kaggwa Schools for recognising the importance of talent development alongside academic achievement. He observed that investing in quality sports infrastructure at the primary school level creates opportunities to identify, nurture, and prepare future national athletes while equipping learners with valuable life skills such as leadership, resilience, teamwork, and discipline.
He further applauded the schools’ consistent participation in prestigious national competitions, including the FUBA Primary Schools League and the Father Grimes National Schools Chess Championship. According to Ssegamwenge, exposing learners to competitive platforms not only enhances their sporting abilities but also builds confidence, determination, and a winning mindset that benefits them both inside and outside the classroom.
The Headmistress, Hajjat Faridah Bukirwa, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the school management for continuously investing in programmes that support the all-round development of every learner. She emphasised that education extends beyond classroom instruction and encouraged parents to actively support their children’s participation in co-curricular activities as an essential component of holistic growth.
She highlighted the school’s comprehensive Talent Development Programme, which provides learners with opportunities to explore and excel in football, basketball, chess, music, dance and drama, home economics, taekwondo, art and craft, badminton, netball, volleyball, among other disciplines. She noted that these activities nurture confidence, creativity, leadership, discipline, and lifelong skills while complementing academic learning.
Hajjat Bukirwa also introduced Thunderbolt Sports Academy as the school’s official platform for specialised basketball and football development. The academy is dedicated to refining learners’ technical abilities while instilling discipline, teamwork, strong character, and a culture of excellence. She further encouraged parents to embrace competitive exposure through the Kampala Junior League, which continues to provide structured competition and invaluable experience for emerging young athletes.
One of the most memorable moments of the day came when pupils interacted with professional basketball players, asked questions about their careers, and received autographs from their sporting heroes. The unique experience offered learners firsthand inspiration and strengthened their belief that dedication, hard work, and discipline can transform dreams into reality.
Among the notable players who attended was Ivan Muhwezi of Namuwongo Blazers, a former captain of City Oilers Basketball Club who represented Uganda at the 2016 FIBA Africa Under-18 Championship in Kigali. He was joined by fellow stars Michael Makiadi, Shakirah Nanvubya, Henry Ssebagala, Moses Mugisha, and James Okello, one of Uganda’s most decorated basketball players and the 2019 Uganda Sports Press Association Male Basketball Player of the Year. Their interaction with learners served as a powerful source of motivation for aspiring young athletes.
For nearly three decades, Sir Apollo Kaggwa Schools have remained committed to delivering quality education that balances academic excellence with talent development. Established in 1996, the schools continue to nurture disciplined, confident, and responsible learners through innovative teaching, strong values, and a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. Their sister institution, City Parents’ Primary School Rubaga, founded in 1999, has equally earned recognition for its outstanding commitment to holistic education.
The commissioning of the new basketball court at Sir Apollo Kaggwa Primary School Kira therefore represents far more than the opening of a sporting facility. It is a bold investment in the future of Uganda’s young people, one that will nurture talent, promote healthy and active lifestyles, strengthen character, and empower learners to excel both academically and athletically. As the school continues to raise the standard of holistic education, the new court stands as a lasting symbol of its vision to develop tomorrow’s leaders, scholars, and sporting champions.
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