KIBULI, KAMPALA — Excellence, legacy and the enduring spirit of Kibuli took centre stage on Saturday as the Kibuli Old Students Association (KOSA) Class of 1997 honoured a new generation of outstanding students at the KOSA Awards 2026.
Held at Kibuli Secondary School under the theme “Celebrating Excellence. Honouring Legacy. Inspiring the Next Generation,” the ceremony recognised students whose achievements in academics, leadership, Quran recitation, mentorship and sport have distinguished them among their peers.
The awards, presented to students from Senior Two to Senior Six, were uniquely designed to connect the present with Kibuli’s rich history, with individual prizes named after distinguished teachers, administrators and school leaders whose contribution helped shape generations of students.
Among the day’s notable honourees was Senior Four midfielder Joshua Aronda, who won the Badru Ssentongo Football Prize after an impressive rise through the Kibuli football ranks.
The award is named after Badru Ssentongo, the celebrated Kibuli football coach whose tenure coincided with an era of dominance for the school in national schools football.
Aronda joined Kibuli Secondary School as a Senior One student in 2023 after completing his Primary Leaving Examinations at Makindye Citizen Primary School in 2022.
His football journey, however, started much earlier. At the age of six, he joined Volf Soccer Academy, where his football godfather, Sserumaga, began nurturing, grooming and developing his talent.
At Kibuli, Aronda has continued to blossom under head coach Emuron Reccoba, establishing himself as a key member of the school side.
His ability to beat opponents, pick out passes, contribute goals and influence games from midfield has earned him a starting role in major competitions, including the National Schools Championship, UMEA Championship and FEASSA Games in Fort Portal, Namagabi in Kayunga and Huye, Rwanda, respectively.
Aronda now joins an illustrious list of footballers who have previously won the Badru Ssentongo Prize, including Uganda internationals Moses Waiswa (2015), Allan Okello (2016 and 2017), Simon Baligeya (2019) and SC Villa goalkeeper Abdul Muwoonge (2024).
Another standout on the day was Senior Five student Iga Muhammad, who emerged as one of the biggest winners after securing a double.
Iga claimed both the Hajj Kinene Muhammad Economics Prize and the Holy Quran Recitation Prize, underlining the balance between academic achievement and Kibuli’s strong Islamic heritage.
The top academic honours went to Nanjego Firidaus and Nsubuga Imran, both Senior Six students, who received the Prince Badru Kakungulu Wasajja Academic Excellence Award as the best-performing Arts and Sciences students in UACE.
In leadership, Senior Six student Kirumira Ramathan won the Hajj Abbas Kaawaase Mukasa Leadership Prize, named after the influential headteacher who led Kibuli from 1978 to 2002 and played a defining role in transforming the school into one of Uganda’s most sought-after institutions.
Beyond the individual achievements, the ceremony served as a tribute to the educators and school leaders whose names now live on through the awards.
Among those honoured were Dr Abel Nzabona, Lawrence Luswata, Geoffrey Bashungwa, Loy Kulaba, Victoria Sserunkuuma Kisalare and Prince Badru Kakungulu Wasajja, whose legacies were celebrated for instilling discipline, hard work, intellectual curiosity and a commitment to service.
For teachers and award namesakes who have passed away, their families attended and received the honours on their behalf.
The KOSA ’97 Awards Committee said the awards were deliberately created to celebrate both present achievement and enduring legacy.
“Each award therefore celebrates two stories at once: the achievement of a present-day student and the enduring contribution of the person in whose honour the award is named.” KOSA statement
The committee described the awards as “more than a ceremony”, calling them a covenant between generations of Kibuli students.
In their closing message, the organisers reminded the recipients that recognition carries responsibility.
“May these awards encourage you to pursue excellence with humility, discipline and service.
May today’s recognition become tomorrow’s responsibility – to lead well, serve generously and keep the Kibuli spirit alive.” KOSA executive committee remarks.
Full List of 2026 KOSA Award Recipients
Geography: Nantume Hamida – S.5 — Dr Abel Nzabona Prize
Mathematics: Adil Hilla Muhammad – S.5 — Lawrence Luswata Prize
Chemistry: Rawdha Namutebi – S.5 — Richard Walugere Prize
Physics: Ashaba Abdulmalik – S.5 — Bashungwa Geoffrey Prize
Biology: Munguci Josephine – S.5 — Byaruhanga Gershom Prize
Football: Aronda Joshua – S.4 — Badru Ssentongo Prize
Literature: Ndagire Mariam – S.5 — Milton Muhwezi Prize
Economics: Iga Muhammad – S.5 — Hajj Kinene Muhammad Prize
History: Kabooza Leilah Rahma – S.5 — Ahmed Tamale Prize
Quran Recitation: Iga Muhammad – S.5
Cricket: Mugerwa Haitham – S.5 and Nabbale Husnah – S.2 — Robert Kitti Prize
Mentorship: Nalubega Rahmah Mukasa – S.5 — Loy Kulaba Prize
English Composition: Ainemabazi Shanisha – S.3 — Victoria Sserunkuuma Kisalare Prize
Academic Achiever: Masamba Mubarak – S.5 — Joseph Lwamba Prize
Mathematics: Golooba Amjad Fikrum – S.3 — Davis Kamoga Prize
