Nyago honoured by rugby fraternity

Outgoing Jinja Senior Secondary School head teacher at the same time Busoga United chairman Dinah Hope Nyago has been recognised by Kyadondo Rugby Club for her role in the development of rugby at the school.

Nyago who is planning to contest for Njeru Municipality parliamentary seat in Parliament, managed to provide scholarships to excelling rugby players through partnership with Kyadondo Rugby Club during her time at the school.

While presenting a plaque to Nyago, vice chairman Kyadondo Rugby Club, Philip Kibiojana, hailed Nyago for the tremendous work in terms spreading the game.

"On behalf of Kyadondo Rugby Club and all our partners, we want to appreciate Nyago for all she has done throughout our partnership with Jinja SSS. Very many rugby players have benefited through her policies which offered them scholarships that impacted not only them but also those around them.

She supported many players who are coming up at Kyadondo and helped us build a great working relationship and partnership with Jinja SSS," stated Kiboijana.

Kiboijana also hopes that if Nyago makes it to Parliament, she will help to add a voice to sports development.

"We wish her the best of luck as she contests for the Njeru Municipality seat because she has promised to continue lobbying for more support for sports industry. The industry sees great value in her and that's why we wish her all the best because we know she will be of great value when she reaches there," he added.

Nyago in return revealed that she leaves Jinja SSS comfortable that she has done her part in developing sports at the school.

"I am very happy that I'm going out at a time when I think this school is at its peak in as far games and sports are concerned. When I look back 12 years when I arrived, the level at which the school was in co-curricular activities was very wanting. We have managed to excel in many sporting activities but, today, I want to single out rugby," noted Nyago.

"I went to schools which the game (rugby) could've been played but I don't remember watching it. When I came here it wasn't there but was later introduced during my stay. And it wasn't only introduced but we did very well in it. For the record, Jinja SSS has been able to break the ranks and represented the country at the East Africa Secondary School games for the last four consecutive years," she added. 

Under her tenure, Jinja SSS broke the jinx to become the first upcountry school to win the National Schools Rugby titles three times on the trot from 2016 and also represented the country at the regional games. The achievement also opened the way for the rugby 7s academy to start in Jinja early in the year.

Nyago also thanked the rugby fraternity for the special recognition and the support they have given her.

"I want to thank the Uganda Rugby Union, Hippos RFC, Kyadondo and the whole rugby fraternity for the support and partnerships. Majority of our learners have been finding their way to competitive rugby through Hippos and Kyadondo. The rugby fraternity has been supportive availing equipment for the students to train and also to the management.

The school has been able to stabilize because of sports. This has also helped the students grow academically. I am leaving the school but am not abandoning sports, I will continue supporting this school and lobby more for sports in schools in particular," she clarified.

Timothy Byaruhanga, the patron of Jinja SSS rugby revealed that the school, through Nyago's policies, started with three academic scholarships but now the number grew to 18 players.

"We have seen growth in rugby from three scholarships seven years ago to 18. Of the 18 players, about 13 were registered to play for Hippos RFC in the national league. More than 50 players who have benefitted from this project are actively playing for clubs including Hippos and Kyadondo in the topflight," said Byaruhanga.