Harding History
Harding Christian Academy is a Christian secondary school located in Nawangoma, Budondo, Jinja City, Eastern Uganda. Founded in 2003 to serve a highly disadvantaged community, HCA exists to provide quality academic education grounded in Christian faith, character formation, and service.
The Late Dr. Clifton L. Ganus Jr visited Uganda in December 2002. During his visit, he had the opportunity to visit Nawangoma Church of Christ. On his visit found out that the Church had a vision of starting a Christian Secondary school, and they had started building a foundation for two classrooms, but the construction had stalled because of a lack of funds to continue.
In February 2003, Dr. Clifton L. Ganus Jr from Harding University in the U.S.A. decided to support the school project as he was motivated by Nawangoma church of Christ, local community leaders, and elders who showed interest in having a Christian-based secondary school that would offer quality Christian Education to the least privileged and orphans in a deep, remote Nawangoma village and its surrounding communities. Dr. Ganus started funding the school project with a grant of $4000.
The Ganus family, including the late Dr. Clifton L. Ganus Jr, Dr. Charles, and Patty Ganus, have been great pillars who have led and supported operations of the school through donations, scholarships, prayer, and remarkable Leadership direction. Through their support, the school has been able to pay staff salaries, infrastructural development, purchase the school truck and Mini-Bus.
After the death of Dr. Clifton L. Ganus Jr 2019, his son Dr. Charles and Patty Ganus assumed full responsibility of funding the school operations including paying staff salaries, orphans scholarship both at Harding Christian Academy and LivingStone International University, purchased school land, infrastructural development and catering for other requirements needed to provide quality Christian centered education that is transforming the future of hundreds of youths across Uganda and East Africa.
Mission, Vision, and Values
HCA’s mission is to enhance spiritual values and innovation through quality education, preparing students for transformation and sustainable development.
The school promotes Christian morals, excellence, integrity, partnership with families and the community, responsible stewardship of resources, and intercultural understanding.
Students and Alumni
As of 2026, HCA serves 390 students with a strong staff-to-student ratio that allows for individualized attention.
Since its first graduating class in 2005, the school has produced over 1030 alumni. Graduates have gone on to universities, vocational training, teaching, healthcare, ministry, business, public service, and other professions. Currently, eight alumni are employed by the school serving in different roles such as qualified teachers, librarian, school driver, and basketball coach. Many other alumni actively serve in churches as ministers, in civil service, in the Uganda Security forces, and in communities across Uganda.
Academic and Co-Curricular Excellence
HCA offers a broad curriculum including sciences, humanities, languages, vocational skills, entrepreneurship, and computer studies. Academic performance continues to improve, with the school ranked among the top ten schools in Jinja City and placed 991 out of 3,350 secondary schools nationwide in the 2023 UNEB results.
Beyond the classroom, students participate in daily Bible classes, weekly chapel, leadership development through church involvement, competitive sports, clubs, and community engagement. HCA has earned regional and national recognition in basketball, athletics, and other sports.
Facilities and Resources
The campus includes classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, a library, a computer lab, staff housing, transportation vehicles, and a reliable water system. While much has been built in recent years, the school continues to work toward expanded classrooms, improved technology access, and additional student facilities.
Financial Sustainability and Future Plans
HCA relies on a combination of school fees and donor support. To strengthen long-term sustainability, the school is pursuing initiatives such as income-generating services, agricultural projects, infrastructure upgrades, and plans to open a primary school. These efforts aim to ensure stable operations while expanding access to education for vulnerable students.
Impact
Harding Christian Academy has transformed countless lives by combining education, faith, and mentorship.
Alumni success stories reflect the school’s lasting influence—producing teachers, church leaders, professionals, and community servants committed to making a difference in Uganda and beyond.