Old students of Kigezi High School in Kabale district are making efforts to raise shillings four billion to finance the construction of centenary multipurpose hall as part of celebrations to mark 100 years of its existence. 

The mixed boarding high school and the oldest in Kigezi region, was founded by the Church Missionary Society in 1922. The school is affiliated to the Church of Uganda and located at Rugarama, off the Kabale-Kisoro Road   

According to the old students, the school needs to build one of the best multipurpose facilities, which they have referred to as a legacy project, with a section for the Information Computer Technology, Library, and other facilities. The first phase is supposed to cost shillings two billion, which is expected to be unveiled by President Yoweri Museveni, who will be the guest of honour on Saturday, September 30, 2023, when the school celebrates its centenary. 

Other projects expected on the day include the launching of a new boys' dormitory with a capacity of 134 students and the commissioning of other 13 completed projects including a water tank of 80,000 litres and the launch of Bishop Kivengere House.  

During a media briefing at Kingdom Kampala, former Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, who is the patron of the Kigezi High School Students Association, said the school had produced students over the last 100 years and are scattered all over the country and occupying key positions both in the public and private sector. 

Dr. Rugunda speaking (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

He vowed that through their association, they intended to restore the school's glory and pride and make it one of the leading schools for the next 100 years.   

Rugunda, who is deputised by industry state minister David Bahati, said they had a long list of old boys and girls, who are expected to be joined by their children, grandchildren, friends, lovers of education and well-wishers. 

The state minister for Industry, David Bahati who is the vice chairperson of the Kigezi High School Old Students Association speaking at Kingdom House in Kampala at a press conference about the Centenary Celebrations for Kigezi High School, scheduled for September 30, 2023. R-L; Former Prime Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda the Association patron, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, Charity Tumubweine and the current head teacher Abraham Akampulira, September 26, 2023. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Some of the prominent old students include Rugunda, Bahati, former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, former finance minister Ezra Suruma, Prof. Augustus Nuwagaba, former Forum for Democratic Change President Dr. Kizza Besigye, Prof. Mondo Kagonyera, Major Gen. Jim Muhwezi, former Bank of Uganda governor, the late Prof. Emmanuel Mutebile among others.     

“The school has contributed enormously to the development of this country in many ways, everywhere you go, in business, academia, you find an old student serving humanity, thanks to the founders, the Church of Uganda for doing a great job towards promoting education," Rugunda said.  

In the meeting was former Kabale district Woman MP aspirant Charity Tumubweine, school board chairperson Alfred Kabuchu, Julius Mucunguzi, Emmanuel Ainebyona and headteacher Abraham Akampurira, among others.   

The chairman of the Kigezi High school board, Alfred Kabushu speaking (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Prof. Mondo Kagonyera. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

The old students have also been involved in revamping several facilities at the school.  

Charity Tumubweine, an old girl of the school. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

Rugunda commended the National Resistance Movement party government and President Yoweri Museveni for supporting the education portfolio, including the introduction of the Universal primary and secondary education programmes, which he said had done a great deal to make education available both in rural and urban areas. 

He said the school has two sections, the Kigezi High School Primary and Kigezi High School Secondary and old students from both sections were working together to ensure successful celebrations.  

Dr. Rugunda speaking during the press conference. (Photo by Eddie Ssejjoba)

“We don’t wish anyone who went through this school and their children to miss our celebrations,” he said.  

Bahati said: “We thank God for the 100 years of Kigezi High School, for in this Century, it has produced and prepared men and women who have and continue to serve humanity with distinction in all fields of life across the globe”.  

Prof. Kagonyera said the discipline was one of the strongest pillars on which Kigezi High School was built and was reason that many of the old students continue to exhibit a high sense of discipline and other ethical values.  

Activities on the day, according to Kabuchu, include bull roasting, a road run in the morning and other activities.