St. Henry's College, Kitovu gears up for centennial celebrations

By Mathias Mazinga

The Headmaster of Saint Henry’s College Kitovu (Shack), Bro. Augustine Mugabo, has announced a strategic development plan that will improve the infrastructure of the school, ahead of its centenary celebrations, which will take place in 2022.

Speaking during the celebrations for the school’s 93rd anniversary held at the school in Masaka on July 11, Bro. Mugabo called upon the school’s alumni, parents and friends, to make financial contributions towards the centennial development projects.

“The Board of Governors designed a ten-year strategic development plan, to give our school a facelift ahead of the centenary celebrations. We intend to tarmac all the pavements and walk-ways around the school. We shall also build a multi-purpose building and replace the asbestos sheets that are still on some of our buildings.”

Mugabo thanked the ministry of education for the support it gives to the school. He also thanked the alumni for their contributions towards the school’s newly inaugurated A-Level Block.

During the same function, the school’s Board of Governors honoured 14 alumni with the college’s meritorious awards, in recognition of their achievements/selfless service to the school and the country.

The awards were given to the respective alumni by the Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who was the Guest of Honour.

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The statue of Saint Henry at Kitovu College

The recipients of the Shack awards included Gen. Elly Tumwine, the minister of works Hon. John Byabagambi, Mr. Vincent Ssekkono, Engineer Aloysius Lubowa, Henry Ssewannyana, Entrepreneur Kaddu Kiberu, Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa, Prof. Henry Kayongo and Hon. Andrew Ssengooba. Other recipients were George William Ssamula, George William Nsamba, Ssalongo Jone Jones Sserwanga, Prof. Charles Ssali (RIP) and Paul Kagimu (RIP).

Delivering his speech after presenting the awards, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda praised the Old Boys of St. Henry’s College Kitovu (Shack), for their enormous contribution to the socio-political and economic transformation of Uganda. \

“The government greatly values the contribution of Saint Henry’s College Kitovu to the transformation process of our country. Some of the old students of this college have influenced the political history of this country. For example, in 1980, Uganda had disputed elections. The elections had been organised by the National Electoral Commission. Vincent Ssekkono, an old boy of Kitovu, was the Secretary of the Electoral Commission. Interestingly, Ssekkono rejected the elections which had proved to be fraudulent. He subsequently resigned from his office and wisely took off to exile. However, he set up a new national agenda and in January of the following year, there was immense opposition to the government of the day.”

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Kitovu College Chapel

“Yoweri Museveni, who was then a very young man, also said no to the rigged elections. He subsequently mobilised young men led by Elly Tumwine, another alumnus of the college, to start an armed rebellion. Indeed it was Gen. Tumwine who shot the first bullet. In all this opposition, Ssekkono was the reference point. So, he was right to take the decision he took. Kitovu’s contribution to national political transformation and development is projected clearly through the roles played by Tumwine and Ssekkono. Also remember that at one time, when we had problems at NSSF, Ssekkono was elected to bring sobriety to the body. Believe me, the Social Security Fund is now stable and this is greatly because of Ssekkono’s wisdom, visionary leadership and hard work.”

Rugunda later thanked the White Fathers for founding Kitovu College. He also paid tribute to the Catholic brothers of Christian instruction, who took over administration of the school from the missionaries.

“Government is proud of Kitovu College, which is currently ranked among the best schools in the country, with good infrastructure and scholarship scheme for the needy students. We are also happy that the old boys have continued to support the school’s development projects.”

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Bishop Paul Kalanda celebrates the thanksgiving mass on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of St  Henry's College Kitovu

Rugunda subsequently hailed the Church for its dynamic involvement in education and called for a sustainable harmonious collaboration between the Church and the ministry of education, to make education qualitative and accessible to all Ugandans.

Dr. Rugunda donated sh5m towards the development projects of Kitovu. He also announced that the ministry of works will pave and tarmac the access road from Nyendo town to Kitovu Cathedral, St. Henry’s College Kitovu and Kitovu Hospital, during the construction of the Masaka-Bukakata road in October.


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Gen  Tumwine at the function

The function started with a thanksgiving mass, which was presided over by the Bishop Emeritus of Fort Portal, Paul Kalanda.

Several alumni and friends of the school also made financial contributions towards the school’s development projects. The donors included Gen. Elly Tumwine (sh2m), Dr. Asuman Lukwago (sh1m), Hon. John Byabagambi (sh3m) and Robert Yiga (sh1m).