According to available information from the first magazines of Teso College, the school was started in 1953 through the initiative of the local people from the Aloet area, with the support of Mr. Leo Okol, the Chairman of the Teso District Council at that time. It didn’t have a name back then, and had only two junior classes, but by 1954, under the leadership of the Teso District Local Administration, it had grown into the most magnificent school in Teso and Uganda.

On 9 July 1954, the foundation stone for the new school was laid by the then colonial Governor of Uganda, Sir Andrew Cohen. The symbolic laying of the foundation stone marked the official founding of this boys-only school, named by the Teso District Council as Teso College Aloet, with full recognition by the central government.

In the 1960 edition of the Teso College magazine, a more detailed description of the founding of Teso College is provided. The preparations for enrolment and the formal start of teaching in Teso College Aloet were first began by Mr. A.S. Baxendale, who later moved on to become the Principal Education Officer, Eastern Province. In February 1955, Mr. John Sassoon, first acting Headmaster of the school, completed these preparations as an interim assignment prior to the arrival of the first Headmaster, Mr. J.E. Jones. Classes officially started on 1 March 1955, with Mr. James Opolot as the Assistant Master. On 2 March 1955, the Principal Judge of Teso District, Mr. E.P. Engulu, and the Secretary General of Teso, Mr. J.E.I. Ogaino, attended the first assembly held in Teso College, where Mr. Engulu presented the school with the gift of a drum.

Towards the end of 1955, the first Headmaster of Teso College Aloet, Mr. Jonny E. Jones, arrived from Sudan to assume leadership of the school. From its foundation until 2012, 14 headmasters have led Teso College.

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Mr. J.E. Jones, first Headmaster of Teso College

Religious life was a central feature in the foundation of Teso College. We have taught Christian Religious Education from the beginning, and we continue to nurture the spiritual side of our students. Even prior to the construction of the Anglican and Catholic chapels, we made space for spiritual contemplation. The room next to the library was furnished as a chapel, and the Anglican Church of Uganda held Bible fellowships there every Friday at 8:30pm, led by Mr. R.F. Clarke and a chaplain. The art room was designated as the Catholic chapel, and services there were performed by a chaplain. (Teso College Magazine, 1960)

The key people who led the establishment of Teso College include:
  1. Mr. Leo Okol, Chairman of the Teso District Council
  2. Cuthbert Joseph Obwangor, Vice Chairman of the Teso District Council, and later the representative of Teso in the Legislative Council
  3. Inyoin J. Onaba Kamodan, Treasurer of the Teso District Council
  4. Ecodu M, Chairman of the Teso District Education Committee
  5. Akabway Stephen, Sub-county Chief who went on to become County Chief of Katakwi County (present-day Katakwi district)
  6. Engulu Eria Paulo, Principal Judge of Teso
  7. J.E.I. Ogaino, Teso district’s First Secretary General
  8. Epaku, who donated the land on which the school was constructed
  9. Esabu Patrick, County Chief of Teso District

Since its establishment, over 30,000 students have graduated from Teso College.