In 1906, the White fathers founded St. Mary’s School Rubaga, which was running as a Primary and a Junior Secondary School.

However, on 12th May 1924, the school was transferred to Kisubi and its name changed to St. Mary’s College Kisubi, after acquiring the senior secondary section. Later in 1926, this school at Kisubi was handed over by the White Fathers to the Brothers of Christian Instruction.

The White Fathers at Rubaga Diocese from 12th May 1924 used the premises to continue running a Primary and Junior Secondary School. They named this school at Lubaga as Rubaga Boys Junior School, hence beginning the existence of the current Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga with its motto as “Kidda Walime”. It ran from primary to junior secondary. The White Fathers governed this school up to 1955 and they appointed enthusiastic young catholic teachers like Antonio Lubwama and J.C. Kiwanuka to help them in teaching.

In 1955, the White Fathers at Rubaga decided to hand over the school to the Brothers of Christian Instruction. In 1956, Bro. Arthur Roy was appointed to be the headmaster on the advice of the then Provincial Superior of the Brothers of Christian Instruction of the St. Theresa Province, Uganda- Bro. Arthur Greenwood. Bro. Arthur Roy headed the school from 1955 to 1957.

Bro. Roy was replaced by Bro. Edward who reigned from 1958 to 1962 on the appointment of Greenwood who was still the Provincial Superior at Kisubi. Between 1963 and 1964, the school was under the headship of Br. Paul. From 1964-1965, Bro. James was in charge.

Between 1965-1966, Bro. George held the administration. Brothers; Paul, James and George were appointed by Bro. Mereal Lambert who was the Provincial Superior at Kisubi. The year 1966 witnessed a mega change in the Ugandan Education System. Junior Secondary section was phased out and Primary Schools were separated from Secondary Schools. Rubaga Boys Junior School therefore gave birth to Rubaga Boys Primary School and Rubaga Boys Secondary School.

In 1967, Bro. Bernadine Kumalaki (Late) was appointed to head the Secondary section on the advice of the new Arch-Bishop Emmanuel K. Nsubuga and the then Provincial Superior at Kisubi- Br. Arthur Roy. Bro. Bernadine was the first Indigenous Brother to take the mantle of heading this school. His reign of 20 years (1967 – 1987) witnessed many reforms in the school. Indeed Bro. Bernadine is so far the longest-serving Headmaster and a pivotal figure in the life of the school. He introduced Professional Business Courses to cater for students who failed to proceed to A’ level. This, however, overshadowed and delayed the introduction of A’ level section at the school. He started and finished a big storied building to be the hostel for boys because he wanted the school to be a boarding one. This building still exists as the main building and the epitome of Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga. It is popularly known as the” De La Mennais building”, now serving as the main building of the school.

In 1970, Rubaga Boys Secondary School changed from a single sex school to a mixed sex one. However, the girls and parents complained about the name of the school being gender discriminative. The word “Boys” was then removed and hence it changed to “Uganda Martyrs Rubaga Secondary School”. Bro. Bernadine proposed the Uganda Martyrs to be patrons of this school because he loved them so much. In 1987, Bro. Bernadine introduced ‘A’ level in the school and he preferred adding a word “High” to the name of the school hence becoming Uganda Martyrs High School Rubaga. Therefore, the school obtained its current name in 1987 after the introduction of A’ Level, since it had become a “High school”. It would be unfair not to mention Bro. Bernadine’s love for football. He loved it with passion and even played with students at the pitch. In his reign, the school became one of the football giants in Kampala. Such excellence surprised many people because the school had a small population of students compared to other competitive schools in football like Lubiri SS, Old Kampala SS, Kibuli SS and Kololo SS.

In 1988, Bro. Leonard Byankya was appointed by the then Provincial Superior at Kisubi- Bro. Peter Kazzekulya to head the school. Br. Leonard Byankya is remembered for introducing science combinations at A’ level and greatly stocked the laboratories and the school library. He is remembered for his indiscriminative kindness and sympathy. Bro. Leonard Byankya headed Uganda Martyrs High School Rubaga from 1988- 1995.

In 1996, Br. Mugema Deo was appointed by the then Provincial Superior at Kisubi-Br. Gerald Byaruhanga to head the school. Bro. Mugema uplifted the academic standard of the school. For the five years he headed the school, Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga excelled in academic performance in the national examinations especially at O’ level. The population of the school greatly increased and it is reported that he doubled the number of the teaching staff. However, the school faced a setback in his reign when the Administration block of the school got burnt. He tried to mitigate this loss by starting the foundation of a multi-purpose storied building, which is now the most magnificent block at the school, on the left-hand side as you enter the school campus from the main entrance.

In 2001, Bro. Gerald Majera Mwebe took over as Headmaster on the appointment by the then Provincial Superior at Kisubi, Bro. Vincent Barigye. Bro. Mwebe is remembered for working hard to complete the building which Bro. Mugema had left on the foundation level. Bro. Mwebe is one of the head teachers of this school who greatly inspired students through his talks. Students always hurried to march to the Assembly whenever they expected his address. Their ears itched to listen to him because of his unmatched speech skills. He was a motivating speaker not only to students but also to the staff.

He was very friendly and he always addressed students as “friends”. He was instrumental in instilling togetherness and teamwork in the school. He always loved to say “Everything in the school is our meaning that the school has no permanent and specific owners, but instead, it is for all the people who are stakeholders. He mobilised for funds to buy a brand-new school Bus, now the best ride in school, and the most, coveted and loved property at school up to the present minute. In his reign, the school also joined the ranks of the best-performing schools in Kampala at A’ Level national examinations. In 2006, the school produced Uganda’s best student in Arts.

The year 2010 ushered in a vibrant gentleman—Br. Lawrence Baiton Kizza, as the headmaster, on the appointment of Bro. Mwebe Majera Gerald, who had become the new Provincial Superior at Kisubi. His energies seemed not to be specific but aimed at a general improvement of the school. He rejuvenated the school music legacy by buying a brand-new Brass Band. Bro. Kizza also showed special concern for strengthening and bringing the Old Students Association (LUMOSA) on board.

In 2014, Bro. Leonard Kasozi Nsubuga was appointed to the headship of the school. He is the youngest Headteacher ever to be appointed to head this school. He came with a very clear and specific ambition to uplift the academic standards and co-curricular aspects of the school. He improved greatly the students’ welfare. He seems to be focused on seeing the school better than what it is. He always reminds students and staff of the school's mission and says efforts should be made to achieve it. He served as the Headteacher upto 2024.

Brother Tamale Herman was appointed Headteacher of Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga in June 2024. This appointment marks a significant moment for the school, bringing in a seasoned educator with a wealth of experience to lead this esteemed institution.

In June 2024, Brother Tamale Herman was transferred to Uganda Martyrs High School Lubaga, a private school owned by the Brothers of Christian Instruction. According to Brother Herman, the school has opportunities for growth and challenges in equal measure. “The school has over the years been blessed with hardworking, dedicated and industrious men as Headteachers, and these have used their God-given talents to take the school to the next level,” he says.

Among the plans he has for the school are to improve the school’s drainage system, complete the storied boys' dormitory that was started by his predecessor, and promote and maintain the culture of sports, especially football.

According to the deputy headteacher, Mr John Kalule, Bro Tamale is a resourceful person, a man of action and development. “He has been around for a short time but has already undertaken a number of infrastructural projects, which is quite unusual,”

Mr Peter the dean of O’ level says Brother Herman is a humble man who puts aside his seniority and expertise to mingle with everybody He loves assigning people tasks and being new to the community he listens to advice and takes it in good faith. He is a diplomat, down to earth respectful of everyone and going by his seniority we don't take that for granted"