Bishop Asili’s Rise Under Sr. Margret Tusiime

KABALE – In the heart of Kabale Municipality stands a school whose name has become synonymous with academic excellence, discipline, talent, and innovation. Behind the remarkable rise of Bishop Asili Nursery and Primary School is a dedicated educationist whose passion, sacrifice, and visionary leadership have transformed the institution into one of Uganda’s leading primary schools.

Born in 1964, Sr. Margret Tusiime, a member of the Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, has spent decades shaping the future of young learners. Although she has served in education for many years, colleagues and parents describe her as “young in education” because of her energy, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Bishop Asili Nursery and Primary School, a private Catholic institution located in Kirigime, Southern Division, Kabale District, was founded by the late Bishop Ceasar Asili and is managed by the Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church. Today, the school is celebrated as one of the country’s top-performing primary schools, a transformation many attribute to the leadership of Sr. Margret Tusiime.

Before joining Bishop Asili School in 2013, Sr. Margret had already established herself as one of Uganda’s finest school administrators. She served as Head Teacher of St. Kizito Nursery and Primary School in Lira for 18 years, where she led the institution to become one of the best-performing schools in Northern Uganda.

When she arrived at Bishop Asili in 2013, the school was relatively small, with an enrolment of about 240 pupils. Infrastructure was lacking, and the school had not yet established itself among the country’s elite academic institutions.

Recognizing the untapped potential of the school, Sr. Margret embarked on a mission that would change its history forever.

“I had to make many sacrifices,” she once remarked during an interview with light News Network “I concentrated on teamwork, involved management in every step, invested in teachers’ professional growth through seminars and workshops, and focused on creating a culture of excellence.”

Her efforts soon began yielding results.

Academic performance steadily improved, with pupils consistently achieving outstanding Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) results. The school became known for producing top grades, with many candidates scoring Aggregate 4 and Aggregate 5.

A landmark achievement came in 2017 when Bishop Asili emerged  the best-performing primary school in Uganda. Almost all candidates attained Aggregate 4 and Aggregate 5, earning the school national recognition and cementing its reputation as a centre of academic excellence.

Under Sr. Margret’s stewardship, enrolment has more than tripled, rising from about 240 pupils in 2013 to approximately 800 pupils today. Parents from across Uganda and neighbouring countries  now seek places for their children at the institution because of its proven record of excellence.

The school’s growth has not been limited to academics.

Understanding the importance of holistic education, Sr. Margret invested heavily in co-curricular activities. The school has represented Western Uganda in national mathematics competitions and debate championships, showcasing the talents of its learners on national platforms.

Early this year , Bishop Asili Nursery and Primary School earned another historic milestone by qualifying for the East Africa Debate Championship after emerging third in the TDN National Debate Competition held at St. Peter’s Secondary School Naalya from May 3 to May 7.

Earlier , the school had won the Kigezi Regional Primary Schools Debate Competition at Kigezi High School, demonstrating its dominance in public speaking and critical thinking.

The achievement earned the school the honor of representing Uganda at the East Africa Debate Competition scheduled to take place in Arusha, Tanzania, in September 2026.

Beyond debates and academics, Bishop Asili School has built a reputation for excellence in drama and performing arts. The school’s drama group is frequently selected to entertain distinguished guests, including President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during official functions in the region.

The institution has accumulated numerous medals and awards in recognition of its achievements in academics, leadership, sports, debate, mathematics, and cultural activities.

Sr. Margret’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. On March 8, 2017, during International Women’s Day celebrations held at Dokolo Grounds, she was awarded a  medal by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in recognition of her outstanding contribution to education and national development.

Her impact is also visible in the school’s physical development. Under her leadership, the school secured a playground for pupils despite being located in the center of Kabale Municipality. Modern staff quarters have been constructed, enabling teachers to reside within the school premises and provide continuous support to learners.

She has recruited qualified and dedicated teachers from different parts of Uganda, creating a strong team committed to academic excellence and moral formation.

Parents also praise the school’s commitment to learners’ welfare. Pupils are provided with balanced and nutritious meals, contributing to their health, concentration, and overall performance. This has further strengthened parents’ confidence in the institution.

Education experts describe Sr. Margret as a leader who understands that success is built not only through examination results but also through discipline, values, talent development, and the welfare of both learners and teachers.

As Bishop Asili Nursery and Primary School continues to soar to greater heights, many believe its story is inseparable from the remarkable leadership of Sr. Margret Tusiime—a woman whose dedication, vision, and sacrifice have changed the lives of thousands of children and transformed a modest school into a national center of excellence.

For many in Kabale and beyond, Sr. Margret Tusiime is not merely a head teacher. She is an education hero, a mentor, a builder of futures, and a shining example of what visionary leadership can achieve.

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