KITUUKA'S WORKS ON A HISTORY OF ST. MARY'S COLLEGE KISUBI (1906 - 2006)

William Kituuka Kiwanuka - Editor (Work done in 2007)

1.      INTRODUCTION

Up to 2005, there wasn’t a well documented History of St. Mary’s College Kisubi.

The Editor is indebted to a number of people who have been helpful in having this exercise a success.  As the College celebrates a Centenary of existence and achievement, there is now good information regarding its evolution.

The College History has been sub-divided into Six Chapters. 

Every Chapter has its own characteristics.  These are:

Ø  The Origin of St. Mary’s School (1899-1906).

Ø  The Era of the White Fathers (W.F) (1906-1926)

Ø  The White Brothers of Christian Instruction (1926-1968)

Ø  The 1st African Brother Headmasters (1969-1983)

Ø  Rejuvenation/Rediscovery of SMACK (1983-1997)

Ø  The Decade of Development (1997-2006)

2.      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This 1st Edition of “A History of St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK)” has been enriched with the cooperation of a number of people and some Historical Literature, that is:

Ø  Brother Anthony Kyemwa who devoted so much of his precious time.

Ø  Mr. J.C. Kiwanuka (the longest serving teacher at SMACK 1951-2001).

Ø  Brother (Dr) Cosmas Kafeero former Headmaster.

Ø  Brother Joseph Tinkasimire former Headmaster.

Ø  Brother Peter Kazekulya former Headmaster.

Ø  Father Ssali of Rubaga Archives.

Ø  Mr. Kigozi of Makerere University Library.

Ø  Mr. Kibuuka of SMACK Memorial Library.

Ø  “A Short History of St. Mary’s College Kisubi.” By Mr. J. L. Mukasa.

Ø  The Brothers of Christian Instruction in East Africa – A Publication by the Brothers of Christian Instruction.

Ø  Father Otto Bailer of LOURDEL HOUSE Nsambya.

Ø  Bishop Robert Gay (W.F)

Ø  Engineer J.B. Walusimbi Chairman Board of Governors (SMACK).

Ø  Llwanga (L’inconnu).

Ø  Past Issues of the Eagle Magazine (The Students’ Magazine).

Ø  Uganda Teachers’ Journal Vol. 1 1939.

Ø  Staff of SMACK’s Computer Department.

Ø  Dr. Kkolokolo of France for his article contribution.

Dedication:

This work is dedicated to my Late Father Besuel Kiwanuka and my Mother Penina Kiwanuka for the guidance and support through my academic life up to University.  Secondly, to Mubende District Administration for the Bursary accorded to me through my six years at St. Mary’s College Kisubi (1974 – 1979).

Special Thanks:

Special thanks to the Late Dr. George Mayanja for the support and eventually connecting me to the Administration at St. Mary’s College Kisubi, which enabled me to collect information.  Secondly, to Dr. W. Rama Makuza for the cooperation and guidance as we worked on the SMACKOBA WELFARE COMMUNITY (SMAWELCOM) NGO document.  Mr. Charles Musisi of Computer Frontiers Ltd is thanked for the cooperation and guidance as we worked on the SMACK and SMACKOBA websites (www.smack.sc.ug and www.smackoba.or.ug respectively).  Dr. Simon Kagugube for dedicated leadership skills for the future of SMACKOBA as a strong organization Special thanks to Dr Kkolokolo of France for financial assistance to have work done on this Second Edition of SMACK History.

3.  A SUMMARY OF SMACK HISTORY

St. Mary’s School was founded by Reverend Father Raux Modeste of the White Fathers Congregation in 1906, and was named after its Patroness “Saint Mary”.  Today, the Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala owns St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK). 

In looking through the annals of St. Mary’s College, to quote Brother Maurice Lambert a former Headmaster of SMACK, in his article in the Uganda Teachers Journal Vol. 1 1939, “1899 seems to be the year from which to start its history.  It is fitting to mention, from the very outset, the name of Stanislaus Mugwanya (a Buganda Regent) of pious memory who did much for the foundation of the College.  This grand patriot, when addressing a meeting of the Catholic Chiefs, held at the beginning of 1899, put this question quite bluntly before them: “Don’t you think the time has come for us to provide our young Catholics with better schooling than that which they have so far received?” 

In 1906, the Council of the White Fathers’ Congregation officially decided upon setting up a Regular English School and financial support was given to start it in the capital town of Uganda at (Rubaga) where young men from Catholics families would be given sufficient education to enable them compete fairly well for important appointments of responsibility introduced by the Protectorate Government. 

On June 29, 1906 Father Raux Modeste was appointed Headmaster of St. Mary’s School, hence becoming its Founder.  He began by concentrating his activities on the work of the School and to learn Luganda.  As part of his preparation, Fr. Raux took time off to study the Crucial Question concerning schools in their relationship to public life in a Protestant environment.

His Lordship, Bishop Streicher (W.F) granted a plot of land for the school.  The building, which houses the Office of the Cardinal and the Chancery Building (though much renovated), are the living evidence of the original St. Mary’s School Rubaga Campus. Where the Cardinal’s Residence is located used to be the parade ground for the school. 

 In 1912, the pioneer finalists of the then Rubaga based St. Mary’s School completed their courses in English, History, Arithmetic and Luganda Grammer leading to an Award of certificates by the Colonial Government.  The school at this time was one of the happiest places in the world.  The school evolved from the equivalent of a Lower Primary section, to a College status where teaching of Commercial subjects (1922) was incorporated and eventually to a Higher School status after 1956.

St. Mary’s School supplied many boys during the war as soldiers, interpreters, and stretcher-bearers while others worked in the supply, transport and telegraph services.  105 students of St. Mary’s School served in the 1914-1918 war.  5 were killed while 66 served as African Native Medical Corps.  Among these were; 4 Sergeants Majors, 8 Sergeants, 10 Corporals, 2 were decorated and 4 were mentioned in the Dispatch.  St. Mary’s School provided as many as 59 interpreters to the Military Staff at Bombo.

To cope with the ever-increasing number of students, the White Fathers decided to open feeder schools so that St. Mary’s would specialize in giving higher studies.  During this time, 4 schools were founded to feed St. Mary’s School.  They are:

v  St. Henry’s High School – Kitovu.

v  St. John’s High School – Nandere.

v  St. Leo’s High School – Virika.

v  St. Joseph’s High School – Nyamitanga.

In 1922, the parent school, St. Mary’s School was then named St. Mary’s College; this was as a result of the school offering training in commercial aspects which development was geared to employment. 

The Rubaga school site was handicapped in two ways; there was no adequate room for the expansion of the school, and the place was found to be infertile.  On two occasions there was famine around Kampala and Uganda as a whole, that is, in 1914 and 1918 forcing the Superiors of St. Mary’s to carry out a survey around Nkumba (Entebbe Highway), hoping that it was fertile.  In 1922 Brother Martin of the White Fathers Congregation was instructed to start work at Kisubi, where Kabaka Mutesa I of Buganda had given the White Fathers, 41/2 square miles of land in 1884.

In 1923, St. Mary’s presented 5 candidates to Makerere College top section that is Medical.  All 5 succeeded, they got the first 5 places.  Only 5 scholarships available: all 5 went to St. Mary’s boys.

By 1922, the White Fathers were in short supply for the vast missionary field in Uganda.  Bishops Streicher and J. Forbes realizing the problems brought about by the rapid development of St. Mary’s College asked Rome to find a Teaching Society with trained and certified teachers to take over St. Mary’s and hence free the White Fathers for Pastoral Work. 

On 12th May 1924, St. Mary’s College was transferred to Kisubi, after Bishop Forbes commissioned the new College buildings.

After the transfer of St. Mary’s from Rubaga, the College was attracting most of the attention because it was forming the elite of the nation and Kisubi usually meant St. Mary’s.

“On the 4th of August 1926, Fathers Michaud and Nadon handed over St. Mary’s College Kisubi to Brothers Charles Jules; Joachim-Leon; Eugene-Paquette and Stanislaus Taillefer of the Brothers of Christian Instruction who were from Canada. This ended the 20 years administration by the White Fathers.

In 1936, SMACK registered the first class of Cambridge School Certificate (C.S.C) initially covering 3 years, and later extended to a period of 4 years. 

Mr J. C. Kiwanuka (J. C) the first lay teacher on the staff of St. Mary’s College Kisubi, started teaching at St. Mary’s in September of 1951 and he is the first graduate teacher in Uganda.  He disproved a non-principled old colonial idea that there was hardly anybody in Uganda that was capable of reading successfully for a degree. He has had 50 years’ teaching service to SMACK and is now retired.

 Mr. J. C. Kiwanuka while Chairman and his Executive of St. Mary’s Old Boys Association (SMOBA) made an appointment with Governor Cohen to discuss the matter of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) at SMACK.  The Governor accepted to meet them.  August 19, 1956 saw the Celebration of St. Mary’s College Golden Jubilee (50 years).  On the occasion of the celebrations, Governor Cohen broke the news that he had allowed St. Mary’s to start Higher School Certificate (HSC).

In 1964, St. Mary’s College Kisubi became a Sports power.  It was most unfortunate that victory brought tears to the school community 42 years ago, when on November 14, 1964, as students were returning from one of those victory matches, which were part and parcel of SMACK culture, a Buganda Senior Cup were mistaken for Political Agitators. 

They came face to face with untimely death in a tragic accident, which claimed 12 of them, 12 miles on Entebbe Highway, where Kisubi High School is located.  John Baptist Semanobe, and H. E Tomusange (an Ambassador) had scored the two goals against St. Henry’s College Kitovu’s one goal at Wankulukuku Stadium that precipitated into the short-lived jubilation. 

The names of the students who died are: Owot Micheal (S4), Bbosa Francis; Obella Egidio; Kirumira Philip all of (S3), Kitimbo Maurice; Nsobya Roman; Yawe Joseph all of (S2), Semakula Remigius; Oryem S. Vincent; Kamya Ladislaus; Kagaba Victor and Kayiira John all of (S1).

Engineer J. B. Walusimbi, Chairman St. Mary’s College Board of Governors is one of the victims of the accident who is alive to tell the story.

Reverand Brother Paul Bourget was the Headmaster when the accident happened.  “Thy will be done,” was the sigh Rev. Brother Paul, the Headmaster heaved at 7.30 pm of the fateful night of November 14 1964, when he received the sad and sudden news of a disaster 12 miles Entebbe Highway.  And, with a sorrowful heart, set about his arduous duties under the most trying circumstances.  He had to create order and calmness from utter chaos and confusion that followed the accident.  The will of the Lord was done.”

The 43 years administration of the White Brothers of Christian Instruction saw St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) grow from strength to strength.  It exhibited academic prowess and used to have a Lion’s share of the Scholarships Awarded by the Colonial Government.  Speech Days were regular phenomena and during then, there would be celebration of the College’s achievements.  

The White Brothers did not only concentrate on academics, they ventured into construction work, and the architectural wonders at the College are their brainchild.  They spearheaded innovations, which saw the College emerge a Sports Power House.  Students were trained in various skills, which among others included Cadet-ship, Boxing, Scouting, Swimming to mention but a few.

Brother Anthony Joseph Kyemwa was first African Headmaster of St. Mary’s College, ending the 43-year era of the White Brothers. Bro. Kyemwa was successor to Brother David Denicourt.  He took office heading 90% expatriate staff with a challenge to uphold the school standards and also improve on it.  By the time he left office, the staff was 99% indigenous.  He was Headmaster for 11 years he officially handed over office to Brother (Dr) Kafeero in 1982 after a three years’ leave abroad.

Late President Milton Obote visited the school on March 15, 1969. The Current Affairs Club of the school had invited him. He delivered a very animating speech to the school community in the Assembly Hall on “The current political trend in Uganda”.

Late Idi Amin as Commander and Chief of Defence Staff (Uganda Armed Forces) visited the school.  He came with his officers for two reasons:

To offer condolences for the 12 boys who had lost their lives in a road accident involving an army lorry and the school truck and to interest the students to join the National Army as Officer Cadets.

When Idi Amin was taken around, he saw mounted skeletons in the Biology Laboratory.  He made an offer of bones of a Tiger for mounting. It is said that the Tiger killed a warden by the name of Matovu at Entebbe Zoo (Uganda Wildlife Education Centre) as he gave it food.  It is then that the animal was shot, and eventually the bones donated by Idi Amin to SMACK.

The Late Vice – President of Uganda, Hon. John Babiha, also an Old Boy of SMACK visited the school in 1970. He was offering the school animals so as to get started on Agriculture, but the school declined the offer, as it was not ready.  

Brother Cosmas Kafeero was the second black Headmaster at St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK).  He decentralized power.  He seized on the new chapter of the political scene after the removal of Idi Amin from Presidency to establish a democratic administration at SMACK. This was against the background that he had been at St. Mary’s since 1960 and was quite acquainted with the strength and weaknesses of the school.  He borrowed a leaf from the USA High School Administration and from sister schools here in Uganda, that is Mt. St. Mary’s Namagunga, Gayaza High School to mention a few.  A Constitution was drafted to involve all students and teachers in the management of the school. 

As SMACK 75 Celebrations approached in June 1983, the threats to the school, which had been the order of the day, continued.  A day before the 75th Anniversary for SMACK, the Headmaster Brother Cosmas Kafeero and the Deputy Headmaster Mr. J. C. Kiwanuka received letters instructing them to leave in the interest of National Security!  The evening of that day, armed men heavily guarded the school premises.  Brother Kafeero had to leave Uganda for Nairobi, Kenya.

“It so happened that I had come to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of St. Mary’s College Kisubi, and on June 9 1983; the eve of the Celebrations, I was appointed Headmaster.  My immediate duty was to mobilize teachers, Old Boys and students for the immediate preparations for the 75th Anniversary,” says Brother Kazekulya.  

Brother Kazekulya says, “the country as a whole was experiencing the effects of political instability and civil war.  The College had its share of these, and the climax was the Liberation war of January 1986, when the College became a battlefield, which obliged me together with over 600 students to flee the school for three days inclusive of nights.  The effects of that war are the death of one student and the destruction of one dormitory,” says Brother Kazekulya.  The Brother further says, “I remember, those years were indeed very difficult and I can say that, ‘the hand of God was there to sustain the entire College community.”  During his administration, the Parents’ Teachers’ Association (PTA) was born as a cushion to the College’s financial problems.

In January 1987, Brother Tinkasimire was appointed Headmaster of St. Mary’s College Kisubi, a prominent undertaking of the Brothers of Christian Instruction.  This to him was a challenge to be taken with determination and great hope; to put a mark on the great school that bred him.  In his speeches, the Brother has always advocated for perfect gentlemen out of SMACK students.  His advice to young people is always to have a goal in life and work steadily towards its realization.  Brother ‘Tinka’ thinks that it is important for young people to be positively critical, have ambitions and nurse dreams, be responsible and friendly to fellow human beings and nature in general.  He undertook fundraising functions to help bridge the financial gaps in the College funding.  

The parents at the time bought a 125 kVA Generator to counter power load shedding.

President Yoweri Museveni visited SMACK on the College’s Open Day in 1994.

Mr. John Agaba was Head teacher (1996-1998).  It was during his time that Hon. Kintu Musoke, the then Prime Minister of Uganda stood in for His Excellence the President and launched the SMACK – Decade of Development (1997-2006).

On October 5, 1997 the then Prime Minister of Uganda, Hon. Kintu Musoke stood in for the President of Uganda to Launch the SMACK Decade of Development (1997-2006).  The same day, the school celebrated 90 years of existence.  Hon. Kintu laid the Foundation Stone for the Higher School Reading Block Extension.

Brother Edward Bukenya’s Administration has almost coincided with the Decade of Development at St. Mary’s College Kisubi.  Projects, which were pronounced in October 1997 when the Decade to the Centenary Celebrations was launched, have mostly been implemented during his time of office.

Hon. Geldine Namirembe Bitamazire officially opened the HSc Reading Block and Junior Library on May 29, 2001, when she was Minister of State in charge of Primary Education. 

April 7, 2002 was a Re-Union Day of the Old Boys of St. Mary’s College saw the Speaker of Parliament Hon. Edward Ssekandi and an Old Boy of the school lay the Foundation Stone for the Higher School Dormitory (The Centennial Monument) the biggest project at SMACK so far.

On June 27 2004, there was the Launch of the Preparations of SMACK 100 years’ Celebrations by H.E the Vice President of Uganda, Prof. Gilbert B. Bukenya an Old Boy of SMACK at Nabinonya Beach.

  

On August 13 2005 there was SMACK 100 Charity Walk in Kampala with Hon. Edward Sekandi as Chief Walker.

August 14 2005 saw the Launch of SMACK Celebrations at the school campus by Bishop Robert Gay (W.F) who was the Main Celebrant and Guest of Honour.

 

 

SMACK had cause to mark 100 years.

Dr. George Herman Kkolokolo 

St. Mary’s College Kisubi, one of Uganda’s premier secondary schools, celebrated its centenary in 2006.  The School was founded in 1906 by Rev. Fr. Modesta Raux, a brilliant French missionary of the White Fathers Society, who abandoned a lucrative post of Chaplain in a French College and came to Africa to found what was destined to become a great college. 

Fr. Raux arrived in Uganda on foot from Mombasa and immediately embarked on setting up the institution to which he gave the motto “Duc in Altum” (aim at the highest). And this has been the central axis motivating SMACK’s lofty achievements. Its alumni are found in every layer of society and in every corner of the world. Many of them from modest backgrounds have been turned into very prominent doctors, scientists, researchers, professors, lawyers, etc in line with the motto.

I joined the college in the early 1960’s when the Cambridge HSC programme had just been introduced in four leading schools and at  examinations, St. Mary’s College halved the number of all certificates obtained! The College was then doing exceptional wonders in the Cambridge O-level examinations. That at the same, the legendary Mathematician, ‘Prof.’ J.C Kiwanuka, was appointed Uganda’s first Minister of Education in Uganda’s first Government led by Benedicto Kiwanuka, himself an honourary Old Boy of the college. At the time, Kisubi was unbeatable in many sporting events. One of its students, the legendary John Baptist Okello, the 110-metre hurdler, had just brought glory to Africa in the Rome Olympics. 

The first French lessons which the College inaugurated for Uganda were eventually to be a solid foundation that later on enabled me to obtain a PhD from University of Paris where, thanks to the structural and philosophical upbringing originally obtained from Kisubi, I was always at ease in lecture seminars and conferences conducted by intellectuals galaxies such as Jean Paul Sarter, Herbert Marcuse, Jean Lacan, Jacques Derrida, Henri meschonnic, etc… 

St. Mary’s College Kisubi has always initiated important projects in Sciences, Mathematics, languages, sports and other extra-curricular activities. At one occasion, it set up a special four-year diploma course in Social Ethics organised by the Oxford Catholic Social Guild. This project helped to form wonderful calibers both socially and intellectually. It is because of these special extras which the Brothers of Christian Instruction introduced side by side with the general school subjects that make the Kisubi’s special minds wherever they are, regardless of their various academic levels and achievements. 

They respect others, they love and serve society whole heartedly, and they often pose as models in positive leadership. This isn’t a mere boisterous observation, but it is a concrete view that has been all along cherished by all responsible people ranging from colonial governors to presidents and cabinet ministers. 

SMACK is just an adequate symbol that displays how the missionary factor in the region has been a tremendous success. 

I wish Kabaka Muteesa I (1861-1884) who invited missionaries to Uganda and eventually gave them land was able to look at a place like Kasubi Hill with all its academic institutions. He would very rightly say he really deserves to be called one of the wisest Founding Fathers of modern Africa! 

As a product of SMACK, I humbly salute the White Fathers who due to their love for Africa founded this college of international repute. I also salute the Brothers of Christian Instruction because of the way they have efficiently administered this great institution, making it a star model.

And I warmly salute all those who have always sacrificed their energies for the college. And for our most beloved alma mater, I am proud of its glittering contribution towards the edification of modern Africa. Long live SMACK!

The White Fathers in Uganda

(Arrival)

The first Catholic missionaries to settle in Uganda landed at Entebbe on 17th February 1879. 

Fr. Simeon Lourdel and Br. Amans Delmas had left Marseilles with the first caravan of White Fathers on 22nd April 1878. 

They landed in Zanzibar on 30th May and on 17th June the whole caravan ventured, on foot, into the interior of Africa, opening up their way through the wilderness.

From the south of Lake Victoria two missionaries went northwards across the lake to explore the situation in Uganda, Father Lourdel and Brother Amans.

On their arrival at Entebbe, Lourdel and Amans landed on the Kigungu peninsula: a modest monument still marks the spot. On their way to Rubaga they spent their night at Kisubi. When Mutesa I learned of their arrival, he had them taken to Kitebi some 3 miles from Rubaga.

They spent there fifteen days, sometimes without food, shivering with fever, uncertain of the fate awaiting them. Summoned to the Kabaka's court Fr Lourdel informed Mutesa that he himself and four others had been sent to establish a Catholic mission in Uganda.

Mutesa consented to the coming of the Catholic missionaries to Uganda and he promised to send canoes to fetch the rest of the group. The king's consent was given on 23rd February 1879. 

The first Holy Mass in Uganda
After Mutesa's first audience Lourdel and Amans had to retun to their small hut at Kitebi, where they were constantly under guard. Finally Mutesa gave them a better place to live in at Nabulagala-Lubya; Lourdel and Amans took up their residence there around the 7th May 1879; the first Catholic mission station in Uganda was founded. 

The 24 canoes supplied by the Kabaka to fetch the rest of the group and their belongings at Kageye were ready on 11th April and Bro. Amans accompanied the flotilla to the south of the lake. 

Frs Livinhac, Girault and Barbot landed at Entebbe on 17th June 1879.
The first Holy Mass ever to be offered in Uganda was celebrated at Nabulagala-Lubya. "For 5 months I have been deprived of Holy Mass," wrote Fr Lourdel to a friend. The portable altar had stayed with Livinhac's group. A memorial chapel, erected at Nabulagala near Rubaga, to commemorate the event, was blessed by Bishop Michaud on 25th June 1939, the sixtieth anniversary of Livinhac's arrival.

Kabaka Mutesa received Livinhac and his companions with great pomp; the missionaries were taken in procession to the court proceeded by Mutesa's flag. Lourdel asked the Kabaka for a bigger house. This request was granted and the gifts accepted. Afterwards the king sent a gift of 30 cows, and Sabaganzi, a relative of the Queen Mother, sent a cow and bananas.

 

Contents of SMACK History (1906-2006)

Chapter One

Origin of St. Mary’s School (1899-1906..………… 12

Chapter Two

The White Fathers Era (1906-1926)

1. Official Foundation of St. Mary’s School…..…14
2. Father Dupupet Headmaster……………….…16
3. Father John Forbes Headmaster ………….…17
4. Father Fillion Headmaster ………………….…17
5. The Evolution of the Old Boy’s Association …17
6. Father Edward Michaud Headmaster ………..20
7. The Brothers of Christian Instruction ………...21

Chapter Three

The Era of White Brothers of Christian Instruction (1926-1968)

1. Brother Charles Jules ……………………………23
2. Departure of 1^st Missionaries for Uganda ….…..23
3. The hand-over to White Brothers ……………….25
4. Speech Day at St. Mary’s 1928 …………………26
5. Brother Maurice Lambert Headmaster …………27
6. Brother James Arsenault .………………………..27
7. Silver Jubilee of St. Mary’s College …………….28
8. Brother Maurice Lambert 2^nd term ….…………..29
9. The Speech Day of 1938 ………………………..29
10. Voting for the House System ………..………….30
11. Song for Social Singing …………………………..34
12. Bishop Michaud’s Letter to Students. …………...35
13. Brother Amator Mitchell- Headmaster.…………..38
14. Brother Eugene Headmaster …………………….39
15. Events of 1949 …………………………………….39
16. Nature Guild of Young Naturalists ………………40
17. The Kisubi College Cadet Corps (K.K.C.C) ……40
18. Boxing at Kisubi (kisubi Social Boxing Club)……42
19. 19.  The Kisubi Scouts ……………………….....42
20. 20.  The Miraculous Medal Association …….....43
21. 21.  The Agility Club ……………………………..43
22. 22.  The 1950 Speech Day ……………………..44
23. 23.  Brother Greenwood Acting Headmaster.....44
24. 24.  Brother Loius Chounard Headmaster …….44
25. 25.  Mr. J.C. Kiwanuka ……………………….….45
26. 26.  Brother John Leonard Aubin Headmaster ..48
27. 27.  Brother Oscar Roger Headmaster ....……...49
28. 28.  Brother Marcel Belanger Headmaster…..…51
29. 29.  John Baptist Okello  - Olympic Medal .........51
30. 30.  Brother Austin O’Donell Headmaster …......52
31. 31.  Brother Paul Bourget Headmaster …..…….53
32. 32.  Brother Paul’s Report – 1964 ………….......53
33. 33.  The Events of the Tragic Accident …….......57
34. 34.  Opening the Memorial Library ..…………....63
35. 35.  SMACK and Buganda Crisis ……………....65
36. 36.  Brother David Denicourt Headmaster ….....66

Chapter Four

The Era of the African Brother Headmasters  (1969-1983)

1. Brother Anthony Kyemwa …………………67
2. Late President Obote’s Visit to SMACK ….69
3. Late Idi Amin’s Visit to SMACK …………...70
4. Assumed Right of Way …………………….73
5. In the Courtroom of Lord J. C. Kiwanuka ..75
6. Memories of SMACK ……………………….76
7. Brother Kafeero Headmaster ..……………79
8. SMACK 75 Celebrations …………………..82
9. Brother Kafeero Expelled from Uganda…..83
10. The Origin of Work on SMACK Road …….83
11. Historical Orientation of Sciences ………...85

Chapter Five

Rejuvenation/Rediscovery of SMACK (1983-1997)

1. Brother Peter Kazekulya  H/M ………87
2. Brother Tinkasimire H/M ……………..90
3. President Museveni’s Visits …………90
4. Brother Tinka’s Challenges ………….91
5. What Students said about Kuipers ….92
6. Old Girls of SMACK ………………..…94
7. Some Board members then………….95
8. The Late Prof. Sebastian Kyalwazi….96
9. Computers get to SMACK ……………96
10. Mr. Basil Kiwanuka an Old Boy ……...97
11. The School Choir ……………………...98
12. 25 years after the Accident …………..98
13. A tribute to Father Dennis ……………99
14. Major Developments by Br. Tinka ….100
15. Arch-Bishop Wamala’s kidnap ..…….106

Chapter Six

The Decade of Development (1997 – 2006)

1. Brother (Mr) John Agaba H/M ……..…107
2. Brother Edward Bukenya H/M ……….108
3. Needy Students’ Fund ………………..109
4. Mr. Keith Obot talks …………………...109
5. Old Boy Awards …………………….…110
6. The Late Bro. Kalungi ………………....111
7. Mulyazaawo’s Memory of SMACK ......115
8. Launch of SMACK preparations……...116
9. Fundraising Charity Walk …………..…118
10. Launch of SMACK Celebrations ……..119
11. SMACK – A Sour Grape now Sweet ...120
12. Prof. Omaswa about SMACK ….……..122

                  

                 

Rev. Father Raux Modeste, the man who  founded  SMACK

 Reverend Father Raux Modeste

By Dr. Kkolokolo 

The man who founded St. Mary’s College; one of Africa’s super premier secondary schools is the Very Rev Father Modeste Raux, popularly known as  Pere  Raux, a brilliant French Missionary of the White Fathers Society.  He was born in 1870 at Henoville - Herly near the small town of Hucquediers in the Province of Pas-de-Calais, Northern France.  

He had his early education in region before joining a Seminary where he was an outstanding student in languages, sciences and biblical studies.  In 1894 at 24, he was Ordained priest and appointed Chaplain in a College in Northern France.  He was very popular among all students.  While exercising his responsibilities as Chaplain he heard a Calling to join the White Fathers Society in order to go to Africa to Found a Great College in Uganda.  He resigned as Chaplain and the White Fathers sent him to their Generalate in Maison - Carree in Algiers to study the Rules and Regulations of their Society after which he officially became a member of the Society.  From there, he was sent to London to polish up his English and to fully study and observe the British System of Education.  He then returned to France to say farewell to his people and confirming that he was going to Africa to fight for the Africans and that he would never return to France.  

Early 1905 he sailed from Marseilles, Southern France, and arrived at Mombasa with dozens of large boxes full of books, bottles of ink, and lots of other scholastic materials.  In order to carry all this property to Uganda, Fr Raux hired a caravan  of  trusted porters with whom he venture to walk on foot up to Kampala, more than a thousand kilometres away! The journey took three months trekking in savannahs full of wild animals, mosquitoes, snakes to mention some.  

Finally, the heroic caravan arrived at Lubaga where Father Raux was warmly received by warm crowds cheering, dancing and drumming!  This triumphant welcome was to strongly touch Father Raux for the rest of his life.

He immediately embarked on the duty of founding St Mary’s.  He encountered very many problems.  The school was housed in a makeshift building of mud a nd grass.  He had to accommodate and feed his students, He learnt Luganda as it was the media through which he communicated and was then able to teach English and other subjects, as well as oversee the security of his students.  Father Raux confronted all these problems with great courage to the extent that the school to which he had given the motto Duc in Altum (Aim at the highest) become number one institution in training and education all over the region. 

He left the school and went overseas on a special mission for one year.  When he returned to Uganda, he was appointed Superior of Lubaga Parish where he built the Uganda Martyrs’ Chapel at Nnalukolongo near Bakateyamba’s Home.  He was thereafter transferred to Nnaddangira Parish from where he was sent to found  Katende Parish where he served with special distinction. He was finally appointed Superior of Kisubi Parish almost at the time when St Mary’s College was transferred from Lubaga to Kisubi and thereafter, handed over to the Canadian Brothers of Christian Instruction.  Father Raux stayed at Kisubi for the rest of his life.  While there, he baptized the mother of St Kizito the Martyr who outlived her son’s martyrdom by almost half a century.  It was at Kisubi that Fr Raux wrote in perfect Luganda his very many books on religion.  It was at Kisubi that he became a celebrity through his mission of visiting and consoling the sick.  It was at Kisubi that  he celebrated  with very great pomp his golden and diamond jubilees in priesthood and later on his 70 years in priesthood  during which occasion he received a touching message from Pope Paul VI thanking him for the very many wonderful deeds he had in Africa.  It was at Kisubi that he participated very actively in the festivities marking SMACK’s Golden Jubilee in 1956, an occasion which  witnessed the then Colonial Governor, Sir Andrew Cohen, pronounce  many touching  words praising  SMACK as Uganda’s greatest college.  It was at Kisubi that Father Raux had the regular joy and pleasure to welcome the excellent performances of SMACK’s unbeatable candidates in both the Cambridge O Level and A Level exams. It was at Kisubi that Fr Raux had to live those very sad moments in November 1964 when 12 SMACK students were killed by a military truck in a road accident.

Fr Raux died in December 1965 at Lubaga Hospital and it was at Kisubi Parish Church that he was triumphantly buried with great honours that accompanied him as a real national hero. His remains are there in a magnificent tomb that really fits one who founded one of Africa’s greatest prides and one whose solid sixty years in Uganda were a period of great inspiration to many Ugandans.

St. Mary's College Kisubi (Chapter 1: The Origin of St. Mary’s School (1899-1906)

St. Mary's College Kisubi (Chapter Two: St. Mary’s School under the White Fathers 1906 - 1926

St. Mary's College Kisubi (The Era of White Brothers of Christian Instruction)

St. Mary's College Kisubi (Chapter Four The Era of the African Brother Headmasters 1969-1983)

St. Mary's College Kisubi (Chapter Five Rejuvenation/Rediscovery of SMACK 1983 - 1997)

St. Mary's College Kisubi (Chapter 6 - The Decade of Development 1997 - to Centenary Celebrations)