Namilyango Marks 100 Years
Nov 24, 2002
MEMOIRS of Namilyango College take me back in time, to my primary school days when our drunkard of a teacher drummed into our heads, with his knuckles that Namilyango College is the oldest boarding Secondary School, founded by the Mill Hill Fathers on Mar
Renowned for excellence, the boys’ school boasts of one old girl, Dr Josephine Namboze
By Sidney Miria
MEMOIRS of Namilyango College take me back in time, to my primary school days when our drunkard of a teacher drummed into our heads, with his knuckles that Namilyango College is the oldest boarding Secondary School, founded by the Mill Hill Fathers on March 23, 1902.
With a tinge of pain, I still recall the sting of his metal-like knuckles on my head.
I learnt albeit recently that Namilyango is a ganda word, which literally means ‘many doors.’ Locals say that before the advent of missionaries there was a big shrine for traditional worship in this area.
It had several entrances; hence locals named it Namilyango. It is also believed that the missionaries established themselves on this escarpment precisely to demystify local gods and discourage worship of ancestral spirits.
So, in March 1902, when Bishop Hanlon, the first Mill Hill Bishop in Uganda, started what was later to become Namilyango College, it was with the express purpose of educating the sons of chiefs and training catechists for evangelism.
The first lot of students was offered both food and clothes by the school. Subjects taught included catechism, reading, writing and arithmetic.
Four years after its inception, the catechists who constituted a bigger number were transferred to a different institution. Consequently the school’s name was changed to ‘Scared Heart Namilyango High School.’
According to historical records in the school archives, this name was not popular; hence the school was called Namilyango High School.
And as years went by, the Brothers of Christian Instruction order ( The Kisubi Brothers) took over the school and renamed it St. Aloysius College, Three years down the road, the Mill Hill Fathers secured it in 1932 with Father P. Preyde, as the new headteacher.
Later on, a government policy of naming boarding Secondary Schools as Colleges saw the school attain the name Namilyango College.
It was in the year 1940 that Namilyango Old Boys’ Association held their first ever reunion at the school. Over 150 former students were in attendance.
History has it that the College was one of the first self-governing schools of the protectorate under the terms of the Thomas Report.
Around this time, training of Cadet Corps was launched in the school. The cadet training eventually opened opportunities for employment in the police and prison services, for old boys like Joseph Etima, the current Commissioner of Prisons.
By the time of the Second World War, new dormitories were being built and the enrolment had considerably increased.
However, the School operated as an ‘O’ level boys secondary school until 1960, when it finally got an ‘A’ level section.
In 1982, Namilyango College for the first time was declared the best in ‘A’ level results. That year only one student out of 87 failed to get a slot at Makerere University. Mr Gerald Muguluma the current headmaster says the school has a long tradition of academic excellence.
“For the last 10 years we have sent the majority of medical and engineering students to Makerere University. We have a tradition of academic excellence especially in the sciences,†he says.
In this regard perhaps, Rev. Fr. Bernard Kuipers will be remembered not only as a first rate headmaster but also science teacher. Although chemistry was his favourite subject he had the ability to switch subjects without the need for preparation. He was the kind of science academician that most students wanted to imitate.
Kuipers was headmaster of the school between 1959-1970. As is the habit with most students they nicknamed him ‘chimp’ on account of his countenance. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Kuipers life was his magnanimity.
Old boys say it was not unlike him to inject his own money into school projects. Among other things he is credited for installing a modern water supply at the school and constructing several students’ hostels. Many poor students are said to have benefited from the generous scholarships, he initiated.
Muguluma says that at time of its inception the schools motto, education for responsibility’ was espoused to guide both the students and teachers. Later the motto ‘NISI DOMINUS’ interpreted in English as ‘without God you can do nothing’ was adopted to give the students a sense of religious devotion.
In the field of sports, Namilyango College has made an indelible mark. The number of trophies which grace the headmaster’s office are a testimony of this fact.
The school is not only the reigning rugby champion but also boasts of having produced boxing maestros like Major General Francis Nyangweso. He is now the Chairman of Uganda Olympic Committee.
As part of activities to celebrate the 100 years of existence, Namilyango Old Boys’ Association has undertaken a project to renovate all laundries in the 10 dormitories. The project is estimated to cost sh80m.
The Old Boys have also planned a fundraising dinner dance at Rwenzori ballroom in Sheraton hotel slated for November 28.
Muguluma says funds raised will be used for constructing a single storey hostel to accommodate 100 ‘A’ level students. It is estimated that the Centenary hostel will cost sh200m.
Furthermore the College has not been lagging behind in this information age. At the turn of the millennium an impressive Computer laboratory was constructed. It was named Bernard Kuipers in honour of a former headmaster.
A laboratory, which was constructed recently, can also be appended to the list of new projects on Namilyango hill. Since the school was started in 1902, it has so far had e18 different headmasters.
Uganda as a Nation has had its fair share of the Old boys in the civil service, politics and private sector. Former Bank of Uganda Governors Onegi-Obel and Leo Kibirango are Old boy’s the college.
In politics big names like State Minister for Agriculture Kezimbira Muyingo and former Attorney General Bart Katureebe and the fiery Gulu Municipality MP. Norbert Mao are all former students of the college.
Even the current Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, John Ssebuwufu is an Old boy of the College therefore suffice to say that the list of Old boys occupying important positions in society is almost inexhaustible.
Perhaps a unique thing about Namilyango College is that, it can safely boast of an Old girl Prof. Josephine Namboze. She was the first female doctor in the whole of East Africa. Muguluma explains that in her days science subjects were not being offered at Namagunga Secondary School where she had been studying.
“She wanted to do Physics, Chemistry and Biology. So Namilayngo was the only option available to her,†he says.
If you envisage a trip to Namilyango College you will find it tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Kampala City. It nestles on an escarpment-like hill in Seeta, Mukono.
Below this hill lies Namanve peri-urban forest, which commands a panoramic view of unparalleled beauty.
In the horizon, down south lies the breath taking serene Lake Victoria. Mugulama says the location of the school is very conducive for academic work. Ends
By Sidney Miria
MEMOIRS of Namilyango College take me back in time, to my primary school days when our drunkard of a teacher drummed into our heads, with his knuckles that Namilyango College is the oldest boarding Secondary School, founded by the Mill Hill Fathers on March 23, 1902.
With a tinge of pain, I still recall the sting of his metal-like knuckles on my head.
I learnt albeit recently that Namilyango is a ganda word, which literally means ‘many doors.’ Locals say that before the advent of missionaries there was a big shrine for traditional worship in this area.
It had several entrances; hence locals named it Namilyango. It is also believed that the missionaries established themselves on this escarpment precisely to demystify local gods and discourage worship of ancestral spirits.
So, in March 1902, when Bishop Hanlon, the first Mill Hill Bishop in Uganda, started what was later to become Namilyango College, it was with the express purpose of educating the sons of chiefs and training catechists for evangelism.
The first lot of students was offered both food and clothes by the school. Subjects taught included catechism, reading, writing and arithmetic.
Four years after its inception, the catechists who constituted a bigger number were transferred to a different institution. Consequently the school’s name was changed to ‘Scared Heart Namilyango High School.’
According to historical records in the school archives, this name was not popular; hence the school was called Namilyango High School.
And as years went by, the Brothers of Christian Instruction order ( The Kisubi Brothers) took over the school and renamed it St. Aloysius College, Three years down the road, the Mill Hill Fathers secured it in 1932 with Father P. Preyde, as the new headteacher.
Later on, a government policy of naming boarding Secondary Schools as Colleges saw the school attain the name Namilyango College.
It was in the year 1940 that Namilyango Old Boys’ Association held their first ever reunion at the school. Over 150 former students were in attendance.
History has it that the College was one of the first self-governing schools of the protectorate under the terms of the Thomas Report.
Around this time, training of Cadet Corps was launched in the school. The cadet training eventually opened opportunities for employment in the police and prison services, for old boys like Joseph Etima, the current Commissioner of Prisons.
By the time of the Second World War, new dormitories were being built and the enrolment had considerably increased.
However, the School operated as an ‘O’ level boys secondary school until 1960, when it finally got an ‘A’ level section.
In 1982, Namilyango College for the first time was declared the best in ‘A’ level results. That year only one student out of 87 failed to get a slot at Makerere University. Mr Gerald Muguluma the current headmaster says the school has a long tradition of academic excellence.
“For the last 10 years we have sent the majority of medical and engineering students to Makerere University. We have a tradition of academic excellence especially in the sciences,†he says.
In this regard perhaps, Rev. Fr. Bernard Kuipers will be remembered not only as a first rate headmaster but also science teacher. Although chemistry was his favourite subject he had the ability to switch subjects without the need for preparation. He was the kind of science academician that most students wanted to imitate.
Kuipers was headmaster of the school between 1959-1970. As is the habit with most students they nicknamed him ‘chimp’ on account of his countenance. Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Kuipers life was his magnanimity.
Old boys say it was not unlike him to inject his own money into school projects. Among other things he is credited for installing a modern water supply at the school and constructing several students’ hostels. Many poor students are said to have benefited from the generous scholarships, he initiated.
Muguluma says that at time of its inception the schools motto, education for responsibility’ was espoused to guide both the students and teachers. Later the motto ‘NISI DOMINUS’ interpreted in English as ‘without God you can do nothing’ was adopted to give the students a sense of religious devotion.
In the field of sports, Namilyango College has made an indelible mark. The number of trophies which grace the headmaster’s office are a testimony of this fact.
The school is not only the reigning rugby champion but also boasts of having produced boxing maestros like Major General Francis Nyangweso. He is now the Chairman of Uganda Olympic Committee.
As part of activities to celebrate the 100 years of existence, Namilyango Old Boys’ Association has undertaken a project to renovate all laundries in the 10 dormitories. The project is estimated to cost sh80m.
The Old Boys have also planned a fundraising dinner dance at Rwenzori ballroom in Sheraton hotel slated for November 28.
Muguluma says funds raised will be used for constructing a single storey hostel to accommodate 100 ‘A’ level students. It is estimated that the Centenary hostel will cost sh200m.
Furthermore the College has not been lagging behind in this information age. At the turn of the millennium an impressive Computer laboratory was constructed. It was named Bernard Kuipers in honour of a former headmaster.
A laboratory, which was constructed recently, can also be appended to the list of new projects on Namilyango hill. Since the school was started in 1902, it has so far had e18 different headmasters.
Uganda as a Nation has had its fair share of the Old boys in the civil service, politics and private sector. Former Bank of Uganda Governors Onegi-Obel and Leo Kibirango are Old boy’s the college.
In politics big names like State Minister for Agriculture Kezimbira Muyingo and former Attorney General Bart Katureebe and the fiery Gulu Municipality MP. Norbert Mao are all former students of the college.
Even the current Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, John Ssebuwufu is an Old boy of the College therefore suffice to say that the list of Old boys occupying important positions in society is almost inexhaustible.
Perhaps a unique thing about Namilyango College is that, it can safely boast of an Old girl Prof. Josephine Namboze. She was the first female doctor in the whole of East Africa. Muguluma explains that in her days science subjects were not being offered at Namagunga Secondary School where she had been studying.
“She wanted to do Physics, Chemistry and Biology. So Namilayngo was the only option available to her,†he says.
If you envisage a trip to Namilyango College you will find it tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Kampala City. It nestles on an escarpment-like hill in Seeta, Mukono.
Below this hill lies Namanve peri-urban forest, which commands a panoramic view of unparalleled beauty.
In the horizon, down south lies the breath taking serene Lake Victoria. Mugulama says the location of the school is very conducive for academic work. Ends