Historical Background

That the past is the prophet for the future may call for little debate in most cases. Not in the case for Nkumba. It was inconceivable 50 years that a small kindergarten would one morning become a powerful university.

Nkumba University has evolved from humble beginnings as a community Kindergarten School established in 1951. It was an outcome of the initiative and vision of Ssalongo Kintu, who owned a retail shop in Abayita Ababiri. On July 29, 1951 at 9.00am. Ssalongo Kintu invited two of his best friends: Charles Kisitu-Ffulu, a Muluka (Parish) Chief of Nkumba then, and Zefania Mpanga, a civil servant residing in the same area. Ssalongo Kintu mooted the idea of starting a a community school. Their confabulation led to the establishment of a school for their infants.

The school opened on February 6, 1952 with twelve pupils in the Kitawulizi (Court Shed) at Ffulu’s home. Within two years the population had grown to over 150 pupils.

The Kindergarten grew into a primary, Junior Secondary School, and then a Vocational School in 1969. In 1974 it became an ‘A’ Level commercial School. In 1980 the Trustees were incorporated as the Registered Trustees of Nkumba College of Commerce and Advanced Studies. In 1994 the Trustees upgraded the College to a University.

Nkumba’s heritage of success as a Business College was the best prophet of its future as a centre of excellence in applied Business education and the fields of Hospitality and Environment Sciences, Commercial/Industrial Art and Design; as well as Education, Humanities and social Sciences.