Mengo SS marathon set to take 130-year legacy strides into education future

This Saturday morning, the air will be thick at Mengo SS as the oldest learning institution in the country holds a marathon to mark 130 years.

As DUNSTAN MUKALAZI writes, marathon is more than a race; it is a moving celebration of belonging to raise Shs 18 billion for a multipurpose dining facility. Mengo Senior School prides itself as the oldest school in Uganda, a venerable institution whose foundations were laid by missionaries in 1895.

For many years, however, that honour mostly remained a historical footnote, a proud but distant memory etched on parchment, as the school navigated the evolving tides of Uganda’s education sector. But history is not just a record of the past; it is a springboard for the future.

Over the last few decades, Mengo SS has undergone a remarkable transformation, reshaping itself to showcase its might, not just academically, but as a leading force in co-curricular activities, relentlessly reigniting the spirit of belonging among its vast community.

This renaissance finds its latest and most dynamic expression in the school’s year-long 130th-anniversary celebrations. Early this year, the school kicked off the festivities with a fundraising drive for an ambitious Shs 18 billion multipurpose dining facility.

This nine-storied architectural marvel aims to comprehensively address the challenges of feeding, fitness, and finesse amongst its thousands of learners, symbolizing a giant leap into 21st-century education.

This weekend, on September 27, the school charts a new milestone, trading quiet classrooms for the pounding rhythm of feet on tarmac as it holds its inaugural marathon.

The 20km run, which will start and end at the school’s iconic premises in Mengo, is more than just a race; it is a moving tapestry of community, legacy and shared ambition. The primary purpose of the marathon is to raise funds and awareness for the multipurpose facility.

Organisers, buoyed by earlier successes, hope to raise at least Shs 1 billion from the event. This goal follows a successful fundraising dinner that garnered over Shs 2 billion in cash and pledges, setting a strong precedent for community support.

Nantagya Grace Ssebanakitta, the Mengo SS head teacher, exudes confidence about the project’s impact and timeline.

“I can assure you, this facility will transform Uganda’s approach to the education sector,” Ssebanakitta stated.

“The success of the fundraising dinner has already set us in good motion. We have made tremendous progress and I believe that with proceeds and pledges from this marathon, we shall be able to put up this project in the record time of three years, which explains why there is a lot of enthusiasm.”

He revealed that the school had already set aside Shs 1 billion from its internal resources, demonstrating its commitment to the project.

“We need about Shs 18 billion to complete the project. The momentum we are building is incredible,” he added.

The event is designed to be inclusive, ensuring that everyone, from the seasoned athlete to the enthusiastic novice, can participate. Alongside the flagship 20km race, there are 5km and 10km categories, inviting a broad cross-section of the community to lace up their running shoes.

According to Dorothy Kiggundu, the school’s deputy headteacher and the in-charge of public relations and discipline, the response has been overwhelming.

“We are expecting about 20,000 participants, of which about 7,000 are our current students. The rest are a wonderful mix of parents, our dedicated staff, former students— our proud Old Boys—and well-wishers from across the country,” Kiggundu said.

“This marathon is a physical manifestation of the spirit of belonging we hold so dear. It’s about reconnecting generations to their alma mater and building a legacy together.”

The logistics for such a massive undertaking are complex, but the school is well-prepared. Richard Sserunjabwa, the deputy head teacher in charge of co-curricular activities, confirmed that running kits, a symbol of participation and solidarity, are still available.

“For a registration fee of Shs 25,000, participants can collect their official marathon kit from the school. Each kit not only grants them entry but also contributes directly to our dream of building a world-class facility for our children,” Sserunjabwa explained.

He emphasized that the event is meticulously planned to ensure safety and a memorable experience for all. The marathon has garnered significant high-profile support, underscoring its importance beyond the school gates.

The katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, whose kingdom has deep historical ties with the school, is expected to grace the event as a guest of honour. Last week, the organizers paid a courtesy visit to Mayiga at Bulange. While buying his kit for the marathon, he highlighted the cultural significance.

“Mengo SS is not just an institution; it is a pillar of the Buganda community and the nation. For 130 years, it has shaped minds and characters. This marathon is a powerful way to honour that legacy while actively investing in its future. I urge all who have passed through its gates and all who believe in education to support this noble cause.”

Meanwhile, Kampala minister Minsa Kabanda will be the chief runner. Kabanda expressed her honour at being part of the event, stating, “The government recognises the critical role that schools like Mengo SS play in national development. This initiative demonstrates how communities can innovatively mobilize resources to complement government efforts in education. I will run not just as a minister, but as a believer in the power of collective action for our children’s future.”

The corporate world has also thrown its weight behind the marathon, with Hariss International Ltd, the makers of Riham beverages, stepping in as the main sponsors. This partnership highlights the shared value that the private sector places on educational infrastructure.

Looking beyond this weekend’s starter pistol, the school administration envisions the marathon as a permanent fixture.

“This will not be a one-off event,” confirmed Kiggundu. “The Mengo SS marathon will be an annual event on the school calendar. We see it growing each year, becoming a key date for the entire sporting and alumni community.”

This long-term vision opens up an exciting possibility for the wider education sector. It is widely hoped that other schools may join the bandwagon, the same way several traditional schools have popularized Sunday football leagues.

A circuit of school marathons could foster healthy inter-school rivalry, promote fitness among young Ugandans, and create sustainable fundraising models for educational development across the country.

So, come Saturday at 6am, the air will be thick at the school’s expansive grounds with anticipation. Then, thousands of feet will hit the road, each stride contributing to a 130-year legacy and a powerful step towards a brighter future.

The Mengo SS marathon is more than a race; it is a moving celebration of belonging, a community in motion, united by a common goal: to ensure that the nation’s oldest school is also its most forward-looking.

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