Fort portal – Founded by a Scottish missionary, Lt. Cmdr Ernest Calwell in 1926, Nyakasura School is the only school in Uganda where boys wear skirts as uniform.
Located in the hills of Fort Portal, the School is only known for its history but also for its distinct uniform. Unlike other Ugandan schools where boys wear trousers and girls wear skirts, Nyakasura’s male students wear kilts, a style that leaves the world hanging.
Lt Calwell introduced the kilt as part of the school’s dress code, drawing from Scottish customs while building the school’s values and identity.
For many years, wearing skirts by boys as uniform is a symbol of discipline and pride. The boys wear it with a belt, long socks, and hose pipes.
This code of dressing has made some people to start mocking at the appearance of the kilt, especially outside the school, but the students continue to wear it.
The code of dressing also reflects the school’s heritage and encourages them to stand out.
The uniform has also led to wider discussions in Uganda about school dress codes. A few schools have started to question the traditional gender-based rules about what boys and girls should wear.
Supporters of such changes say that allowing more choice can help students feel comfortable, reduce bullying, and make school a more welcoming place.
Nyakasura’s example shows that uniforms can carry meaning beyond appearance. What began as a foreign influence has grown into a lasting part of the school’s identity.
