Museveni lauds Ntare School for shaping patriotic ideas

PIC: Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda reading the President's speech at the alumni dinner

NTARE SCHOOL DINNER

President Yoweri Museveni has lauded Ntare School as a fountain of nationalistic and patriotic ideas that molded a cream breed of leaders, who have since contributed greatly to the country.

The President's remarks were contained in his message delivered by Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, during the annual dinner of Ntare School Old Boys Association (NSOBA), at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Wednesday night. The OBs also refer to themselves as the "the roaring lions".

The President said the movement that liberated Uganda from the Obote and Amin regimes started right from Ntare School.

Pledging to support the remodeling and expansion of the school, Museveni said because the school was founded on non-religious backgrounds, it stood ground against divisive and segregative actions that affected many schools at the time.

He encouraged the school alumni to continue supporting the school and keep the candle of its initial glory glowing.

The President contributed sh50m towards the construction of a sports complex at the school.

President Yoweri Museveni and Paul Kagame of Rwanda are the OBs of Ntare School, among a string of other high profile figures across the globe.

Ntare School, located in Mbarara municipality, was established by government in 1956 with the late William Crichton as the founder Headmaster.

PIC: Rugunda auctioning an art piece that the alumni bought for the President at over sh10m

Since its inception, the school has boasted excellent performance in academics, games and sports, on top of extra-curricular activities, particularly debate.

At this year's dinner, the "Roaring Lions" contributed funds towards establishment of a mega sports complex for the school.

The chairperson of the association, who is also the state minister for health Elioda Tumwesigye, said the facility evaluated to cost over sh1.6b, was part of a bigger remodeling and expansion of the school master plan at a tune of sh54b.

He said the complex would house a football pavilion and variations, changing rooms for pavilion and swimming pool, sports field leveling and grass planting, chain link, parking, gate and walkways.

Tumwesigye said the grand master plan construction of the physics, biology and chemistry laboratories are currently ongoing and that all the old buildings would be rehabilitated.

The Lions contributed over sh225m in cash and pledges.

Tumwesigye explained that the occasion was meant for OBs to eat, drink and recite the old memories at the school, on top of committing further support to the school.

He said fundraising occasions would be hosted beginning January next year to raise the funds to the sports complex among others.

The occasion was, among others, attended by the minister of finance Matia Kasaija, the minster of works and transport Eng. John Nasasira, the state minister of tourism Ephraim Kamuntu and former minister Tarsis Kabwejere, among others.

The school headmaster, Jimmy Turyagyenda, lauded the roaring lions, led by President Museveni and Paul Kagame, for their continued support to the school.

He reported that the school had continued to perform well academically, citing that  O'level had 194 first grades in 2016, 193 in 2015, 201 in 2014 and 228 in 2013.

At A'level, he said most of the candidates have since scored well as he appealed for further support.