Budo Junior: 50yrs of glory, challenges and tragedy

Apr 22, 2008

WE are supposed to be celebrating the golden jubilee of the founding of Budo Junior School as a separate entity; instead we are mourning the loss of 20 girls in a dormitory inferno which occurred on the night of Monday, April.

By Dr. Edwardi Kayondo

WE are supposed to be celebrating the golden jubilee of the founding of Budo Junior School as a separate entity; instead we are mourning the loss of 20 girls in a dormitory inferno which occurred on the night of Monday, April.

Budo Junior School had been part of King’s College Budo; however, a 1943 board meeting decided that the small boys and girls should be separated from the secondary section.

Some of the students who attended the primary school while it was still attached to the secondary section include Kyabazinga Henry Wako-Muloki (1927-41), Sir Edward Muteesa (1930-42), H.E Godfrey Binaisa (1927-36), Prof. David Rubadiri (1941-51), Rhoda Kalema (1937-47), Sarah Ntiro (1938-45), Abu Mayanja, (1945-49), JM Kariuki, Daudi Ochieng, and Apolo Nsibambi (1952-59), prince John Barigye (1948-54) in November 1953. Just before being exiled, His Highness Kabaka Sir Edward Muteesa offered 30 acres of land to the native Anglican Church, now Church of Uganda, on Kabinja Hill, one mile below King’s College, for this purpose.

In June 1958, the school was opened with the lower six primary classes moving from King’s College.

The pioneer students included Joy Male, later Gayaza headmistress; Dr William Kalema, later Tony Blair’s Special Commissioner for Africa; and Sam Walusimbi, a national cricket star.

With completely new infrastructure, many playing fields, trees, a small population of students including sons of kings and chiefs, bright students on district bursaries, students from all over Africa, a sprinkling of Asian and European students under a motivated European and African staff, Budo Junior was the brightest jewel in the crown of Church of Uganda-founded primary schools. It was touted together with King’s College as the Eton of East Africa. Other students at this school included King Ronald Mutebi (1962-63), King Patrick Kaboyo (1959-61) and Justice Lugayiza (1961-62).

The 1970s and ‘80s saw a gradual deterioration of infrastructure, food shortages in tandem with the prevailing situation in the country at that time, under Mr. Kibirige, Wagumbulizi Kiggundu, Kaggwa, Kayongo and for the last one and half months, Dr. Dungu.

The Budo tragedy points to a failure; several commissions and omissions of almost all stakeholders.

- Church of Uganda

Kept a headmaster in that school for too long. No word about this school came from the Buganda Kingdom education ministry.

- Wakiso District

In spite of continuous reports of poor management at Budo Junior, the district authorities kept curiously mum.

- School Management committee (Board)

Failed or refused to make progressive policies, ensure financial discipline and keep infrastructure in fair condition.

- Old Budonians Club

We let Budo Junior drift away from us, partly because it was badly run, partly because we take our kids to the new private schools like Kampala Parents, Greenhill, City Parents and we concentrated on the better-run King’s College. For this, I sincerely apologise.

The fundamentals at Budo Junior are in place and the school should be able to rise and shine again within two years.

Timothy Cobb, the headmaster 1948-57, said: “Budonians are good at making a special effort, they are not so good at making an ordinary effort.” A special effort will be launched next Sunday afternoon, April 27, at Lugogo, where parents, well-wishers and Old Budonians of both King’s College and Budo Junior will deliberate on the way forward, with special emphasis on the administration, the board, decongestion, paying accumulated debts, formation of a reconstruction committee, after which a fundraising drive will be launched.

Sir Cecil Rhodes, the great British explorer, made a famous phrase: “So little done; so much remains to be done.” the Luganda equivalent is: “Gakyali Mabaga,” our school motto. The great potential and goodwill for Budo’s reconstruction among the population, Mengo and the Central Government can only be tapped if they know that they are dealing with serious people.

We promise to be serious and will not be caught napping again.

The writer is a Consultant at
Old Budonians Club.

0772 447633

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