Mbarara High School ‘Blood Pact’ behind the sh1.9b OBs’ project

OPINION

By Rt. Rev. Dr. Fred Sheldon Mwesigwa

Although the most famous catch phrase to describe 112-year-old Mbarara High School is ‘Chaapa’ as a way to expressing camaraderie among students of the school, a relatively newer term on the lips of Mbarara High School students is ‘akasaayi.’

Akasaayi is a term used to spur students to be motivated, especially during soccer competitions as a reference to solidarity and undying love for the school. It literally means “blood” or the bond that keeps the boys focused on a cause that aims at ensuring victory for the Chaapa boys.

The Addis Ababa Rebuild Project that has so far cost about sh1.9b was ignited by ‘ekisirani endeeta mugisha’, Runyankore saying that can be translated as “a blessing in disguise.”

Mbarara High School’s Addis dormitory caught fire on April 25, 2016 and the chairperson of the board of governors then, Moses Kamabare, who had been appointed by me as foundation body representative mooted the idea of rallying all old boys of Mbarara High School to raise money to put up a better and more grandiose building to replace the burnt one.

The story goes that Mr Kamabare’s now deceased wife was instrumental in praying with her husband and between them a vision to kick-start the mobilisation was born.

The first meeting was held at Piato Restaurant — little did they know that the proprietor was a Chaapa old boy — resulted in Prof. Bazeyo being brought on board after awareness that his OBs were discussing school matters at his hotel. Two OB interns of Mbarara High School Nicholas Turyahabwe and Hilary Kurinamanyire were tasked with visiting the school and collecting data about OBs which resulted in the creation of six WhatsApp groups of 220+ members.

The story began from there and has culminated in the bringing together of old boys from different generations who previously did not know each other.

I have the privilege of being included on the main group and have moved along with the OBs all the way, not a simple task since sometimes I have to answer hard questions on the part of founding body.

Chaapa OBs need to be applauded for being one of the leading schools in Uganda when it comes to supporting their school financially and otherwise.

The mobilisation strategies of raising funds for different phases of the project through special appeals and monthly contributions for some is a first for OBs’ associations.

About sh1b has been raised from 600 old boys on the six WhatsApp groups and the sh800m has come from friends of Chaapa, institutions and companies sourced. Special applause goes to Kamabare, the CEO National Medical Stores, the vision bearer; Prof. William Bazeyo, co-chair; Counsel Pope Ahimbisibwe, co-chair, Hon. Dr. Medard Bitekyerezo, chairman of OBs; Eng. Dr. Dan Tindiwensi, head of construction, Col Onata, OBs’ representative on BOGs and a host of other mobilisers.

As the school gears up to welcome the First Lady Maama Janet K. Museveni, the Minister of Education and Sports, on July 24, 2023 to officially launch the sh1.9b dormitory complex spearheaded by Mbarara High School OBs, the akasaayi spirit has been exhibited in soccer, re-build Addis and is even peering into the academic arena. Only time will tell.

The writer is an associate professor of religious education, former deputy headteacher of Kibubura Girls SSS and Ntare School, a former dean Faculty of Education & Arts UCU, former chairman of UCU governing council and currently chancellor Bishop Stuart University smwesigwafred@gmail.com