Kyambogo mourns fallen head teacher

Kyambogo Secondary School suspended studies following the sudden death of their head teacher Annie Tumwesigye.

The decision was reached upon by the school board and administration to mourn their head teacher who had served the school for four years since 2014.

When the New Vision visited the school, it was a somber as teachers, students, old students, and parents gathered in different points, as they listened to soft gospel music.

At the entrance, the school administration had already pinned a notice on sad news, while the school flag was raised at half-mast.

Many at school described the late as mother who loved everyone.

The deputy head teacher in charge of academics, Charles Drake Rubongoya said everyone was in shock.

She was uneasy Rubongonya said Tumwesigye started feeling uneasy last Friday. "We were supposed to have a finance board meeting on Monday but she called me at  round 6:00am to tell me that she was not feeling okay, and was going to see a doctor. We postponed the meeting to Wednesday as she requested. She also told me that her pressure was high," he said.

On Wednesday, Tuwmwesigye is said to have reported at school, but appeared weak.

"During the finance meeting, she was not responsive as usual. She always left me to respond to everything. After the meeting, she said she had to see a doctor," he added.

Rubongoya said he later received a call at around 10:30am that she had collapsed at a supermarket in Nalya and had been rushed to a Hospital Naalya, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

He said Tumwesigye was loving, caring and a mother to all students and staff. "We are really going to miss her. She had concern for the growth of the school," he added.

Tuwmesigye, 56, was the former head teacher of Kashaka Girl's in Mbarara before being transferred to Kyambogo College. She was also a teacher at Mbarara High School were she taught literature before being elevated as a head teacher.

Rubongoya said the school board resolved to suspend their end year exams until after the burial.

"We were in our fourth day of our end year exams. We have suspended studies and all students will report back on Monday," he noted.

Tumwesigye was buried on Saturday at her ancestral home, in Kabwohe, in Sheema district.

The head prefect of the school, Denis Sematimba, said the late was kind and cared for all students.

"Personally, she was like my mother. She used to counsel me and encouraged me to become head prefect. She was a counsellor to all students and teachers. I thought she would congratulate me on my success after Senior Six. We are going to miss her," he said.

Umar Mulumba, the chairperson, Kyambogo students' council said she was God fearing and always prayed for students during the assembly.

Angello Nabiryo, a Senior Three student, said Tumwesigye loved students and was strict on studies.      
On social media (facebook), several old students of Mbarara High and Kashaka Girls mourned their former teacher.

One the old students from Kashaka, Suu Mam'Africa wrote; "Holy Mary Mother of Jesus.....this is very bad news....I can't believe this I was never told she's sick.Yesu okatushereka rufu egi eeehhh" (God, you hid death from us).

Claire Ntungire wrote; "Rip Annie, indeed you were beautiful in and out, I am so proud to have been one of your products of hard work . Iam so touched. Rest in Peace".

Isabela Nuwagaba said; "What a sad morning this is! Aunt Ann you have gone too too soon."