Hornby alumni celebrate girl child education in Kigezi
Nov 03, 2017
Old students narrated how attending Hornby High School shaped their career, making them what they are today.
EDUCATION | KIGEZI
A total of 60 old students of Hornby High school gathered last Sunday to celebrate girl child education in Kigezi region through the footsteps of a pioneer old girl Canon Grace Bikanganga.
Special guests at the event included Prime minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, former finance minister Mathew Rukikaire, former bank of Uganda secretary Janet Kahirimbanyi, Top businessman Amos Nzeyi, Alice Karugaba of Nina Interiors, Eleanor Byarugaba of Kembabazi Catering Center and Augustine Nuwagaba, a lecturer at Makerere University. The alumni also included lawyers, scientists and farmers.
They narrated how attending Hornby High School shaped their career, making them what they are today.
PIC: Bikangaga arrives for the event. The day coincided with her birthday. (Credit Agnes Kyotalengerire
"My mother believed in Hornby, so she enrolled me at the school. Through the school, I was mentored and taught to be disciplined, attributes that made me what I am today," recollected Charity Kivengere, one of the old students.
The old students also sang praises of the iconic leadership of Bikangaga, who was one of the pioneer students and teachers at Hornby High school.
Bikangaga was married to late Canon John Bikanganga, the Rutakirwa Engabo ya Kigezi (1964 to 1966), thus acquiring the title Nyiina Boona.
"While at Hornby, I used to reside in Baby House. Bikangaga would pay me a visit and bring me grab (bites). Sometimes, she would pick me up from school over the weekend and take me to her home, just to make sure that I had a decent meal," narrates Pauline Ofwong.
This was during a tea party at the residence of Bikangaga in Muyonyo on Sunday afternoon.
Hornby High school was the first girls' school to be founded in Kigezi region by Constance Hornby in 1923. It opened great opportunities for girls' empowerment through education in Southwest Uganda.
Hornby, a brave and determined woman, traversed hard-to-reach areas like Kigezi, Rukungiri, Kinkiizi and Rukiga, looking for girls to join the school. She also started schools such as Kinyasano, Kantare and Mparo Kihanga.
The gathering coincided with Bikangaga's 92nd birthday. The old students raised funds to buy a bus for the school.
While addressing the old students, the Rugunda commended the organising committee.
He urged the organisers to increase fundraising by organising a dinner and inviting everyone who is connected to Hornby High school.