By Mike Rwothomio

The Community Empowerment for Rural Development (CEFORD) has awarded Robert Matua, Headteacher of Adusi Primary School, as the top-performing school leader in the 2026 Director of the Year Award for Zombo District.

The award ceremony took place on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at CEFORD’s offices along Ofaka Road in Paidha Town Council.

Six headteachers participated in a competitive and rigorous selection process overseen by an independent jury comprising education stakeholders, a representative from the Alur Kingdom, and members of the media.

Jury Chairperson Jane Mikuma described the selection process as transparent and urged all headteachers to accept the final declaration as genuine and merit-based.

Juliet Pirango Joy of CEFORD explained that under the Director Award initiative, one outstanding headteacher is selected across the entire Zombo District. 

“We are using the term ‘Director’ as per the project document, but it refers to the Headteacher of the Year,” she clarified.

Pirango expressed satisfaction with the successful selection process conducted by the independent jury. She congratulated the winner and encouraged him to serve as a role model by sharing his expertise with colleagues.

“To you the winner, you are now a role model. You have climbed the ladder. We expect you to open your hands and heart to help the rest of the headteachers in Zombo District to improve basic education,” Pirango stated.

She added that the Alochi Ku Somo project aims for a multiplier effect: “At least under Alochi Ku Somo we want a multiplier of 1-5. Therefore from you alone we expect to get five headteachers who will perform like you or better than you without jealousy. We want favourable competition in Zombo District so that we can grow as a district.”

The organisation will monitor the award winner based on a work plan detailing how he intends to utilise the UGX 2 million prize to advance his professional development and further enhance school performance.

This recognition forms part of the Alochi Ku Somo II project, funded by Switzerland’s COOPERAID and implemented by CEFORD in partnership with LIFE CONCERN and the Nebbi District NGO Forum. 

The initiative seeks to strengthen school leadership, enhance learning outcomes, promote teacher competence, support infrastructure development, and advance career growth for school leaders.

District Senior Inspector of Schools Jalar Silvio, who served as Secretary of the Jury, outlined the key evaluation criteria, which included teacher and learner motivation, academic performance, professional qualifications, school governance, development planning, enrolment and attendance management using the TELA system, and participation in co-curricular activities.

Jalar emphasised the robustness of the process, noting that the jury’s recommendations undergo further due diligence by the steering committee to ensure public confidence in the winner.

Winner’s Reaction

Robert Matua described the accolade as empowering. “I am thanking the Lord for this award. I did not expect this, but through the critical selection process, I find myself being awarded this. I am so grateful,” he said.

Juliet Pirango Joy urged other headteachers in the district to continue working harder with the aim of winning the award in future cycles.

The Alochi Ku Somo II project continues to address persistent education challenges in Zombo District, particularly in Primary Leaving Examination (PLE) performance, through targeted investment in teachers’ capacity building.

Chairperson Jury hands over the award to the Headteacher

Winner Robert Matua

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa your number one grassroot infomation hub for African news, trends and updates.