The college is in the town of Fort Portal, approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles), south of the post office along the Nyakahita–Kazo–Kamwenge–Fort Portal Road.[4] This location is about 300 kilometres (186 miles), by road, west of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city.[5] The coordinates of the school are 0°37'43.0"N, 30°17'10.0"E (Latitude:0.628622; Longitude:30.286115).[6]
Overview
It was founded in 1921 by the CatholicWhite Fathers.[7] The college was first established at what presently stands as St. Mary's Seminary in Virika, Fort Portal. By then, it was attracting pupils from St. Peter's Primary School and other Catholic primary schools. In the early 1930s, the White Fathers invited the Brothers of Christian Instruction to take over from them. In the early 1960s, the school was shifted to its current location, on a hill overlooking the plains of the Rwenzori Mountains and some parts of Fort Portal town.[7]
Reputation
St. Leo's College was, at one time, among the most prestigious schools in Uganda because of its history, influence, excellent academic performance, and dominance in sports.[8][9] More recently, it has fallen on hard times, with declining student grades, increased student hooliganism, recurrent student strikes, and financial shortfalls.[10][11]
Academics
Subjects offered at "O" Level include biology, chemistry, Christian religious education, commerce, computer studies, English language and literature, fine art, French, geography, history, mathematics, and physics.[3]
At "A" Level, the subjects offered are categorised into arts and sciences. The arts subjects offered are history, economics, divinity, French, literature in English, geography, computer studies, and fine art.[3]
The science subjects offered are physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, subsidiary mathematics, and general paper, which is compulsory.[3]