Alfreda Allen was the first headmistress of Gayaza in 1905. Sent by the Church Missionary Society (CMS) to fast-track girls’ education in the country, she arrived in Buganda with Janet Smith, later followed by Dorothy Allan, Nancy Corby and Irene Steintz to start the school.

In 1904, under the reign of Kabaka Daudi Cwa II; Sir Apollo Kaggwa, a in chief in Buganda, requested the England-based Church Missionary Society to open a girls’ school at Gayaza although this was resisted at first because the then Chiefs were not willing to pay for girls’ education.

These fears were however swept aside when a CMS ladies’ conference, convened in England, resolved that a girls’ school be started near the Gayaza mission land, which was donated by the King. Prior to this, there had been a few boys’ schools, while the girls were only receiving church instruction in the scriptures and catechism in preparation for baptism.

In recognition of her memorable work, the school chapel (Alfreda Allen chapel) was named after her.