Schools & The Humanist Tradition In Uganda

In this Podcast we talk to Steve Hurd about the development of Humanist schools in Uganda

Uganda has two main religions that is taught in schools but there is also a growing Humanist tradition that respects all religions and none and teaches the ethical values of Humanism.

Uganda Humanist Schools Trust helps schools in Uganda working to offer liberal, humanist education to needy children. Founded by Ugandan Humanists and run as charities, the schools are inclusive and do not discriminate on grounds of religion, social or ethnic background. 

Uganda Humanist Schools Trust was established in November 2008 as a charity to raise funds to support the efforts of Ugandan Humanists, who have founded schools which offer students the alternative of liberal secular-humanist education:

Peter Kisirinya and Moses Kamya met as students at Makerere University, where they became founder members of the Uganda Humanist Association (UHASSO). In 2004 UHASSO, took the bold step of inviting the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) to host a “Humanist Visions for Africa Conference” in Kampala. Discussions at this meeting provided the catalyst for the creation of pioneering schools, which embrace Humanist principles.

In November 2008, they took the further step of forming the Uganda Humanist Schools Association to foster collaboration between the schools. The Association, chaired by Peter Kisirinya, is dedicated to monitoring educational standards, sharing good practice, promoting professional development and pioneering a secular-humanist approach to schooling.