The turbulent time of 1970 and beyond The school has gone through periods of instability and uncertainty, the worst of which was the 1978-86 era. But the gallant men and women who have steered this school through the years have been able to deliver it to its current status, the numerous challenges and hardships notwithstanding. It is on record that during 1978 the sixth Headteacher Leonard Joseph Kivumbi (1971-78) was murdered after buying a brand new Peugeot 404 pickup, a most coveted vehicle! This could not be thought about during the days of maverick dictator Gen. Idi Amin. Within three months of buying it, he was stalked and shot with impunity by advice of his peers and the last robbers at the entrance of his house which is adjacent to the school play ground. Show his Photograph Kivumbi is credited for transforming the school from a Junior to a Secondary school and pulling a number of students in the school.

He was replaced by a titan, seasoned administrator Dr. Peregrine Kibuuka. His stint though was short lived. It had been preceded by the murder of his predecessor followed by the start of the war in Luweero Triangle. Besides, conditions around the school forced him to commute daily from Kampala. When he found the situation unbearable, he resigned after just about two years. In spite of this however, he accomplished a number of achievements; he instilled confidence and esteem among both students and staff in the school which was until then, basically ‘O’ level. He also bought a school lorry which notorious Nubians commandeered although it was later recovered.

The 1980-1985 was the most turbulent time the school gone through. This was the time Yoweri Kaguta Museveni launched a guerilla resistance against Obote II’s government, ostensibly for election gerrymandering in December 1981. St. John’s Nandere was located in the precincts of Luweero Triangle and therefore military men often made havoc on the school and its vicinity. Needless to say, this came with countess hardships which the space here cannot suffice detail. The school’s strength fell to less than 100 pupils and most of the schools were forced to close in 1985 in the area as the war intensified. Nandere Parish almost closed although the Parish Priest Fr. Anatoli Kamya bravely stayed behind. At that time the school was under the leadership of Mr. Kabugo. The school buildings were turned into a centre for refuges. This may have saved some of buildings from being smashed and demolished by the insurgence but they were not left in a good setting that they they needed immediate rehabilitation.

Soon after the war, the school was re-opened in April 1986 under the late Mrs. Kaddu Nakabiri Teopista. Nobody wanted to head the war ravaged school owing to the state in which it was. There was no furniture as it was looted. Some buildings were roofless and dilapidated. Only a handful of students remained loyal to the school located in an impoverished ambiance. They were only 26 students of S.1 who got promoted to the next class each year until 1989 when the first post war batch sat its UNEB Exams. This group was famously known as the “Pioneers” and among them was the former Chairperson of the Nandere Old Students Association (NAOSA) Eng. Betty Nabbosa Kajumba, now Assistant Commissioner, Ministry of Works and Transport. Irrespective of the small numbers among students the late Kaddu did not fail to make strides to improve the school. It was her strong desire that students excel in their performance no wonder that she established the Advanced level. She also embarked on the construction of the A- Level block.

After the war, the school would not survive on lamentations; gallant and devoted men and women came on board to see that another trend is taken! Thanks to Miss Nambalirwa who took over the steering wheel of the school for almost a decade. Different projects were initiated with finances generated from parents through PTA fund. Some classrooms were repaired or built with this effort. However, save the modern library and science laboratory were constructed with the assistance from the government. A few teachers’ residential blocks were constructed and completed also by direct government funding. No wonder one of the teachers’ residential House is in the names of Nambalirwa in recognition of her effort as Headteacher. Special thanks for the lobbying team under the stewardship and guidance of Prof. Khidu Makubuya the former Member of Parliament and Chavenoelex Francis Xavier Lubanga former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports.