The Castle: What is your name, and how are you related to the Bishop?

Mr. Mayanja: I am Justine Mayanja. The late Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga was my elder brother.

The Castle: What kind of person was the Archbishop during his childhood, and what did it feel like growing up with him?

Mr. Mayanja: He was a very kind person towards everyone. The two of us shared a great relationship as siblings. He had a giving heart—he once gave thirty cows to the community women. He was also instrumental in connecting electricity from Kalagi to this village, Kyabakadde. Together, we supported the education of many children in the village. Eventually, we started a community school—St. Cyprian.

The Castle: What was the Archbishop’s dream when he started St. Cyprian High School?

Mr. Mayanja: His major aim was to bring education to this village. He started St. Cyprian as a community school, and it kept growing. The idea came in 1990 when he got a scholarship to study in Rome, where he earned a doctorate in Canon Law. After returning, he formed the “Kyabakadde Rural Development Project”—a group that was later registered as an NGO with several other groups in Mukono District. The two of us even went to the United Kingdom for training, where we acquired both theoretical and practical skills on village development. The secondary school was his way of contributing to the development of Kyabakadde. It started with thirty students and, by the end of the year, had grown to sixty. The school fees were just Shs. 50,000.

The Castle: What did you think about his wish to start the school? Did you ever share your opinion?

Mr. Mayanja: I was glad because it marked a great beginning for our village. I worked hand in hand with him to grow St. Cyprian to great heights. It initially began as a technical institute but later evolved into a secondary school. I was the first bursar of St. Cyprian H/S and drafted the school’s first budget in 1998. I left in 2003, and Bursar Carol took over.

The Castle: Being a community school, how did you manage the expenses?

Mr. Mayanja: The Archbishop was a very friendly person, and this helped a lot. His friends from Madrid, Spain—Manos and Unidas—gave us donations. Additionally, the locals in the village offered construction services voluntarily.

The Castle: What challenges did the Archbishop face at the beginning?

Mr. Mayanja: The biggest challenge was financial. Since it was a community school and the fees were only Shs. 50,000, managing expenses was very difficult.

The Castle: Were there any key people who worked with the Archbishop to grow the school?

Mr. Mayanja: Yes, Hon. Muyingo J.C. played a big role. He mentored the late Mr. Karoli Kiwanuka, and those two were instrumental in elevating the school to its current status. Mr. Karoli, in particular, transformed the school into a boarding school. His emphasis on religion and discipline helped the school grow tremendously.

The Castle: How do you feel now that the school is celebrating 25 years?

Mr. Mayanja: I am very glad the school has become what it is today. I thank the board for its tireless efforts in developing the school. As we celebrate 25 years, I suggest that the school offer scholarships to children from Kyabakadde RC. I also propose inviting old boys and old girls to celebrate the silver jubilee—this will inspire current students. For example, Yusuf Serunkuma, one of our old boys, was among the first group of candidates who sat for national exams at St. Cyprian. Lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to Hon. J.C. Muyingo for his inspiration and guidance to St. Cyprian.