The Bursary Fund was established in 2017 with the aim of supporting underprivileged but brilliant and well-behaved students to remain in school. The initiative was first championed by President Mathias Nalyanya, who mobilized support for a young man, Akimong, who was unable to return to school due to lack of fees and basic necessities.

Over time, the Fund expanded its support to cover more students, while alumni and parents periodically raised contributions towards college infrastructure projects such as the gate, dining hall, and sick bay. Each leadership team spearheaded a specific project.

However, as the years went by, donor fatigue set in since the same group of people was contributing every term. This left NACOBA with increasing debts to the college. These challenges sparked discussions for a more sustainable solution, which ultimately gave birth to the Endowment Fund.

The Namilyango College Peregrine Kibuuka Endowment Foundation derives its name from Dr. Peregrine Kibuuka, an ebullient Old Boy, former teacher, and the longest-serving Headteacher of the College in recent years. He served with unparalleled dedication and distinction, supporting several needy students to access quality education at the College. In memory of his distinguished record and service, the Foundation was named to honor his legacy.

Over the years, Namilyango College has admitted bright students from humble backgrounds but with the potential to excel. Yet, some of them have lost the opportunity for this quality education because they failed to meet the school fees requirements of the college. In addition, with increased numbers and academic requirements, the College infrastructure built 121 years ago is majorly depreciated.

Like almost every prominent and successful school worldwide, the annual fees cover the school’s operating costs. Still, they cannot develop the substantial surpluses required for the infrastructure (construct new student, teaching and non-teaching staff residences, laboratory, computers, classrooms, and co-curricular facilities ) and scholarships. Teaching and teacher development are at the core of any world-class institution, and this cannot be fully funded through fees alone.

The imbalance in student enrolment and supportive infrastructure is affecting the ability and capacity of the college to offer quality but affordable education. To bridge the gap, and as envisaged in its ten-year strategic plan, the college must establish innovative ways of mobilising funds to support bright but less privileged students and to finance the highly needed college infrastructure and facilities.

By establishing a permanent endowment of significance, the College will increase funding for high-priority capital projects such as more staff housing, new teaching infrastructure, science facilities, a sports complex and even a theatre. In addition, it will enlarge the number of scholarships to make a College education affordable to more of Uganda’s best and brightest boys in search of an outstanding all-around education. The NACO Fund is committed to enhancing student achievement, enriching educational standards, and supporting the infrastructure needs of Namilyango College. In perpetuity, the endowment fund’s mission is to increase and stabilize the long-term growth of legacy gifts given to the Fund.

The NACO Fund shall provide stable and predictable funding for Namilyango College to become an internationally acknowledged Centre of Excellence in College education, attracting, developing and producing high-calibre and exceptional students with knowledge and skills to impact the world positively.