Budo's last English head teacher remembered

By Mathias Mazinga

Rev. Ian Cameron Robinson, the last English headteacher of King’s College, Budo, was remembered by the school’s alumni and friends. 

The memorial service at the school’s chapel was presided over by the Anglican Bishop Emeritus of Mukono, Dr. Michael Ssennyimba (himself an alumnus of the college), assisted by the school’s chaplain, the Rev. Enock Kimanje.

Prominent alumni who attended the service included among others the former Prime Minister Prof. Apollo Nsibambi, former finance minister Dr. Ezra Suruma and veteran politician Rhoda Kalema.

 

 
Former Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi and former finance minister Ezra Suruma were in attendance. (Credit: Matthias Mazinga)

Several moving eulogies were given in honour of Robinson, who led the school from 1958 to 1970.

The former chairman of the Board of Busoga College Mwiri, where Robinson taught for 11 years before being appointed to Budo, described Robinson as a wonderful educationist, who believed strongly in character training. 

“Robinson put emphasis on character development. At Mwiri, he participated enormously in the school’s capital development. He installed in the school electricity, piped water and a telephone. He also contributed substantively to the school’s infrastructure development.”

Paul Kikule, who chair’s Budo’s Board of Governors also said: “Robinson could teach all subjects; Religious education, Maths, History, Physics, Literature, Geography, Biology, name it. If a teacher missed for a week, Robinson would take over his subject without any consultation. Robinson was also a great electrical engineer.” 
 

 
Budo headteacher Bakka Male chats with some alumni. (Credit: Matthias Mazinga)

On account of Robinson’s practical character, Kikule called upon the alumni of Budo to contribute enormously to the development of their Alma Mater.

The current head teacher of Budo, Patrick Bakka Male asked the college’s alumni to contribute funds towards the completion of the school’s new administration block, which requires sh1bn (to be finished and furnished. 

Male also revealed that the school’s chapel, to whose construction Robinson contributed a greater part of his salary, was no longer enough for the current student-population, which was why plans were underway for it to be enlarged.

Bishop Ssennyimba asked the Budonians to emulate Robinson’s exemplary character by being dutiful and God-fearing.

Born in 1925, Rev. Robinson passed on in March, in England. Prior to his death, he was the Vicar of Saxmundham parish Church, Ipswich. 

His memorial service was also attended by other prominent alumni like Hon. Rhoda Kalema, Dr. Ezra Suruma and UPC strongman Ambassador Olara Otunnu.