Leavers’ Parties Replaced With Picnic for Mbarara High School Students
Mbarara High School is changing the way its 2026 leavers will celebrate.
The school announced that traditional joint leavers’ parties, commonly known as prom or SOSH, will no longer take place.
The move follows new Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines aimed at safeguarding students from unsafe or inappropriate entertainment.
The guidelines specifically prohibit activities that encourage students to pair up or form romantic-style couples during school celebrations.
Instead, Senior Four and Senior Six candidates will take part in a structured Candidates’ Trip and Picnic from February 20 to 21, 2026.
Each student is expected to contribute UGX 120,000 toward the event. School officials say the new format will provide a safe, memorable way to mark the end of secondary school while complying with national education policies.
In previous years, Mbarara High School held proms with Maryhill High School and Immaculate Heart Girls School, alternating with events involving Ntare School and Jovoc.
The shift to a more structured model reflects a national trend toward safer and more educationally aligned student celebrations.
Education stakeholders are exploring alternatives that combine talent development, empowerment, and safe entertainment.
The goal is to ensure students can celebrate their achievements while discovering skills and preparing for the future.
