Kumi district’s educational landscape received a transformative boost on with the official commissioning of Agaitha Modern Schools by His Eminence Dr. Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, the Mufti of Uganda on Thursday, 27th November, 2025.

The multi million-dollar institution, located in Omerein Village, Mukongoro Sub-County, promises to nurture academic excellence, innovation, and holistic development for learners in Uganda’s North Eastern Muslim Region.

The comprehensive school complex covers over five acres and features a Nursery, Primary, and High School, a modern administration block, a multipurpose hall with an advanced public-address system, a fully-equipped kitchen, electrified water purification systems, and a mosque.

Several dormitories are currently under construction to accommodate boarding students.

The project was envisioned and funded by Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al-Rasbi, an Omani national with ancestral ties to the area.

Dr. Al-Rasbi explained that the school was inspired by the memory of his late mother, who was laid to rest locally. His Omani parents had settled in Uganda in the mid-1940s as merchants before eventually returning to Oman, and his mother’s burial in the area became a personal motivation for him to invest in this educational initiative.

The ceremony hosted dignitaries, including Hon. Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, UMSC Secretary General, Sheikh Abubakar Omar Obilan, Regional Assistant to the Mufti for the North Eastern Muslim Region, Sheikh Dr. Hamid Ahmad Wandega, Kadhis from neighboring districts, local government leaders, parents, and guardians.

During the commissioning ceremony, Sheikh Mubajje, accompanied by Haji Ssekyanzi, Secretary General of the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the school.

The Mufti was warmly welcomed by students waving Ugandan flags and performing songs celebrating education and unity.

A guided tour of the facilities showcased modern classrooms furnished with single-seater desks, a chemical laboratory, a computer lab, and libraries for both primary and secondary sections.

Dr. Al-Rasbi addressed the attendees, describing the vision behind Agaitha Modern Schools while quoting Qur’anic verses that inspired him to establish the institution in honor of his parents.

“Our vision is to turn these institutions into a beacon of excellence, to nurture young minds into great thinkers, empower students for lifelong learning, and create a center of transformation where innovation is part of progress and a source of pride,” he said.

Sheikh Obilan, the Regional Assistant to the Mufti for North Eastern Uganda, highlighted the school’s historical and cultural significance.

He hailed the project as an achievement in reviving the region’s Muslim heritage, tracing its roots to Umar Anapa, the first Itesoti to embrace Islam.

Captured and imprisoned by colonial forces in Bombo, Anapa later returned to Teso in 1914 with the Nubians, where he began spreading Islam, an enduring legacy still visible in the community today.

Hajji Ssekyanzi praised the project as a successful alignment of private initiative with government development priorities and UMSC’s strategic vision.

“I urge visitors to take one or two ideas from this center and apply them within their capacity for broader community benefit,” he advised.

Mufti Mubajje Mufti praised Dr. Al-Rasbi’s visionary and compassionate approach to education.

He recalled his efforts in founding the Noor Islamic Institute in Mbale over four decades ago and highlighted success stories such as Sheikh Obilan, who rose from student to Regional Assistant.

”Education was extremely limited across Uganda’s Eastern and Northern regions. To address this, we selected three children from each district to receive full education, and one of those children was Abubakar Omar Obilan,’’ the Mufti revealed.

“We guided him from nursery through A-Level, and today we are proud to see him as a distinguished Islamic theologian, serving as the Regional Assistant in the Mufti’s Office,” he added.

He also praised the high standards of infrastructure and learning materials, and advised the administration from not providing free education but to implement modest school fees to encourage shared responsibility among parents and guardians which promotes accountability and sustainability.

The Mufti also urged youth and citizens to preserve peace, especially during the forthcoming national elections, encouraging the election of patriotic leaders who prioritize development, stability, and continuity.

The commissioning of Agaitha Modern Schools marks a historic breakthrough for Kumi District and the wider North Eastern Muslim Region, offering a modern, holistic education model that combines academic excellence, Islamic values, and community engagement.

As dormitories and other facilities continue to take shape, the institution is set to become a regional hub for learning, innovation, and character development.