TIME CHECK IS 02.14AM UGANDA TIME.

I wake up just to make this remark. I was in my bed in my house which I can say is in a village setting, though people are buying land and constructing in the area.

I am bothered that some people are enjoying their lives at such an odd hour. This is evidenced by unusual loud music not far from my house.

It is true, some of the people who were alive on Christmas of 2021 are no longer simply because of the way they conducted their lives.

Uganda is a country that is not easy to understand. You just wake up and you are told that a Police Station was invaded, some Police Officer (s) killed and some guns taken.

I really don’t understand the way some people in Uganda see things. Just this Christmas, there are people who have not had what to eat. Such people will normally look to soft targets at least to get what to eat the next day. I really don’t understand why some Ugandans make their lives so cheap. Do you really have to be in a place of entertainment past midnight? Where is your security?

I think as we prepare for 2023, let us be more responsible, maybe many will live on beyond 2023.

Happy Boxing Day. But please limit the excitement. 26th December 2022 is not the end of the world. You may have more years depending on how you conduct yourself and behave responsibly.

FOR ONCE, THE UGANDA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SHOULD BE SERIOUS

By William Kituuka Kiwanuka 

SMACK OB

Consultant on the history of St. Mary’s College, Kisubi.

The Ministry of Education in Uganda has sent conditions to guide the Catholic Church (Kampala Archdiocese) required of a new Head Teacher for the 116 year old St. Mary’s College, Kisubi (SMACK). 

Some of the conditions unfortunately are just ridiculous.

Before I get to discuss the two conditions which in the eyes of professionals make the Ministry’s agenda questionable or suspect later on put it into disrepute and possibly look unprofessional.

it is important for the policy makers in the Ministry of Education - Uganda to know that the school they now eye and see as a darling where the politicians and successful business people want their children to attend for Secondary education has been nurtured to where it is by its founders  - the Catholic Church for 116 years. The fame the school enjoys today has been because of the role of its founders who wanted to groom among others, future leaders, men with good morals as well as good Catholics. The guidance by the Catholic Church for 116 years; the Teaching Community - the Brothers of Christian Instruction for 96 years and the Old Boys for 116 years are the major players in the success the school is proud of.

It disturbs to see the Ministry of Education & Sports of Uganda come up with impossible conditions for the Church (Archdiocese of Kampala) as the requisite qualifications for the new Head Teacher of the school which the Church has guided for 116 years.

There may not be other Government Aided Catholic Church Founded Secondary Schools with a student population of 1,820 as SMACK in 2022.

Secondly, on average the fees payable by each student at SMACK in 2022 was shs 2,254,000. So, a candidate for heading SMACK should be managing a school which realizes about Shs 4,102,280,000 a term and shs 12,306,840,000 a year.

I would love to see a staff of the Ministry of Education in Uganda who can come up with at least 5 Government Aided Catholic Church Founded Secondary schools with fees collection near to Shs 12.3bn a year.

My advice is: Uganda needs better. Let us stop running agenda’s under funny policy dictation to fulfill given ambitions. The Government has Seed Schools. It is not clear why it cannot upgrade some of those schools to be able to absorb children of the politicians and the business community, but instead come to create disharmony in schools that have been well organized and managed for decades.

Below is the article that carries the requirements to qualify to be nominated Head Teacher for SMACK.

SMACK ROW: MINISTRY SETS CONDITIONS, REQUEST CHURCH TO SUBMIT NEW NOMINEE.

The Kampala Archdiocese and Ministry of Education and Sports have struck a compromise on the appointment of a new head teacher for St. Mary College Kisubi- SMACK. The Education Ministry Permanent Secretary, Ketty Lamaro, says that they have given the Church three weeks to nominate a suitable replacement to Bro Deo Aganyira, who has been at the helm of the school for seven years.

“…that within a period of three weeks, Kampala Archdiocese submits a name of a substantive Head Teacher who meets the Ministry criteria,” Lamaro’s December 23rd letter to His Grace Paul Ssemogerere, Archbishop of Kampala reads in part. Lamaro added that in the meantime the outgoing Head Teacher can hand over the school to Justus Katatumba, one of the deputy Head Teachers in line with the Uganda public standing orders.

There has been a row between the Ministry and the Church revolving around the appointment of a new head of the 116-year-old school, which is ranked among the top-tier schools in the country.

Following the retirement of Bro. Aganyira, the Ministry appointed Bro Augustine Mugabo, the current Head Teacher of St. Henry College-Kitovu, which is a sister school to SMACK given the fact that both are headed by the Brothers of Christian Instruction and owned by the Archdiocese of Kampala.

The  Church rejected the newly appointed headteacher, saying that the ministry had not consulted them. Archbishop Ssemogerere, specifically wrote to the Ministry saying the Church preferred Bro. Simon Mpanga, another deputy Head teacher at the school.

Sources from the Education Ministry said that the Archbishop’s letter not only came as a surprise but also threw the top management into anxiety. “Since then, meetings have been on to come up with a solution that could be acceptable to the Church, which had invoked Section 8 of the Education Act,” a source noted.

The said section 8 stipulates the responsibilities of the Government towards grant-aided education institutions which include among other things appointment and deployment of heads (Head Teachers and deputies). However, most importantly, the section stipulates that this must be done in consultation with foundation bodies – in this case, Kampala Archdiocese.

Looking at the criteria of who should be Head Teacher, the Ministry seemed to politely reject the Church’s preferred candidate and also ensured that he is not the one that is appointed as interim Head Teacher of the school.

The Ministry has listed five requirements that any nominee fronted by the Church must possess. The PS says these are the Ministry’s  standards for any person to head a traditional school at the level of St Mary’s. The first requirement states that the nominee for the position must be a substantive Head Teacher.

This alone knocks out Mpanga (who had been fronted by the Church). Mpanga is a substantive deputy headteacher at the moment, even worse, the Ministry requires that one has held the position of Head Teacher for the previous three years.

In 2019, the same standard was used by the ministry to reject the Anglican church nominee at Gayaza High school. In that case, the church’s favorite, Agatha Nakisekka, was a substantive deputy head teacher (at Gayaza) while the ministry’s choice, Robinah Kizito, was a substantive headteacher (at Kitebi SS). Kizito was later appointed after discussions between the two parties.

Other conditions are that the applicant must be under 57 years of age, have a spotless work history, and led a school of comparable size in terms of enrollment, academic performance, staffing, budget, and infrastructure. Efforts to seek comment on the set conditions from the Archbishop and authorities within the education department at Kampala archdiocese weren’t successful by the time of publishing this story.

However, in the circles of old students where the issue has since generated debate, they noted that the ministry is attempting to softly pressure the church to accept their nominee, Bro. Augustine Mugabo.

-URN

WHAT WE SHOULD TAKE CHRISTMAS TO MEAN

“To give up one's very self – to think only of others – how to bring the greatest happiness to others – that is the true meaning of Christmas."

It is Christmas again. This time in 2021, remember, we had friends with us or people we knew were alive. Unfortunately, as we get to celebrate Christmas of 2022, these friends, or relatives are no more.

The question: What price can one pay for being alive this Christmas? I think it should be to give up one’s very self and think of others.

Some of those celebrating Christmas in 2022 feast daily. To them, everyday can be equated to Christmas. Why shouldn’t such people think about the deprived? 

In my neighborhood, there is a Jack Fruit tree. Many times when I am at my home, I see small boys climb this tree. On Saturday, December 24, I was nearby. As the boy was about to climb, I said, “I am bothered that nearly each hour, you are climbing that tree. I fear you may fall off as I look on”. The boy responded: “But we are hungry!”.

The truth is: Many of Uganda children are malnourished. Some have one sure meal a day.

As we celebrate Christmas and also enter 2023, we need to focus more on the deprived. Many Ugandans are in very bad conditions simply because of some people who either exploit them or they lack employment or worthy employment with good returns.

This Christmas, I think those who have much more than they need should think about those without and help them.

Just two days ago, I bought a Cabbage. I needed a bag into which to put it. A small girl was asked to bring the bag. I realized that the girl was taking long to deliver. The mother explained that the girl was hungry. It was about 2.30pm. What came to my mind was to donate at least shs 1,000 for the girl to buy something to eat before their lunch.

The truth is: Many children today in Uganda are not fed well and in time. Parents are having it rough providing for them. This situation is being worsened by families having no land where to grow food.

So, as you celebrate Christmas 2022, thank God that you are still in this life and you can thank Him by helping the poor.

MR. JUSTUS KATATUMBA IS ACTING HEAD TEACHER St. MARY’S COLLEGE, KISUBI

According to the Observer story:

“Drama as archbishop blocks St Mary's College HM hand over ceremony”.

December 21, 2022 Written by URN

It was written I quote, “Sources said Lubaga, the seat of the Kampala archdiocesan ordinary (authority) demanded that Aganyira instead hands over to his deputy Justus Katatumba who should in turn be the one to handover to a Church-seconded Head teacher”.

Mr. Justus Katatumba - Deputy Administration is Acting Head Teacher of St. Mary’s College, Kisubi.

This is the status of the school as of now. Mr. Justus Katatumba the Deputy Administration is Acting Head Teacher until a substantive Head Teacher is agreed on.

A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO USE THEIR OFFICES IN UGANDA TO STEAL OUR MONEY.

Good Lord, as we get to the Christmas of 2022 and the year 2023, we pray that you touch the hearts of those people in responsible positions in Uganda who see themselves so powerful possibly above the law and are at liberty to access our money unlawfully and take it.

God, this Christmas and for 2023, change the hearts of these people who see themselves entitled and disregard the efforts of others.

Let them understand that what they are doing is unlawful, but because they assume that they are above the law and cannot be prosecuted continue with impunity to take what lawfully belongs to others.

Lord, open the eyes of these people wide to know that what they are doing is wrong and that they inflict so much pain to their victims.

Lord, let them know that one day they will expire taking nothing with them. 

In Your name I pray.

AMEN

WHAT THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION IN UGANDA IS DOING AS REGARDS St. MARY’S COLLEGE, KISUBI (SMACK) IS WRONG.

SMACK was founded by the White Fathers (WF) in 1906. The Catholic Archdiocese of Kampala owns the school.

It is ridiculous that the Ministry of Education in Uganda originates appointments and makes communication WITHOUT consulting the owners later on agreeing with them over appointments.

It was in 1983 when the Ministry of Education wanted to take SMACK from its owners. The Government aids SMACK mostly through paying salaries of some of the staff, it should respect the proprietors of the School and ensure a cordial relation exists.

Those of us conversant with the history of SMACK know very well the role of the (WF) and the Catholic Church in ensuring the academic excellence of the School and reputation. It now surprises that Government seems to ignore the role of the Church which is unacceptable.

We the Old Boys of SMACK want the Government of Uganda to respect the school owners and hence the Founding Body of the School. Dictatorship and overlooking them is completely unacceptable.

Dictatorship and overlooking the Founding body (the Archdiocese of Kampala is completely unacceptable and ill advised, least expected of the NRM Government.

BRIEFLY ABOUT THE EARLY HISTORY OF St. MARY’S COLLEGE, KISUBI.

St. Mary‘s School was founded by the White Fathers’ Congregation and Reverend Father Raux Modeste of the White was appointed a Founding Headmaster in 1906. The School was named after its Patroness ― Saint Mary. 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, I quote, ―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, Father 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 used to accommodate the Office of the Cardinal and the Chancery Building, are where the original St. Mary‘s School Rubaga Campus was located. 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:

 St. Henry‘s High School – Kitovu.

 St. John‘s High School – Nandere.

 St. Leo‘s High School – Virika.

 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.

J. C. Kiwanuka (RIP) 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.

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).

MAKERERE UNIVERSITY CONVOCATION SHOULD BE IN THE DRIVERS’ SEAT FOR MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

From a personal view point, if Makerere University Convocation (MUC) is delivering, then it may be rated at about 5% of its potential.

I was surprised that in the Magazine the University produced as part of the celebrations of the 100 years in 2022, in “The Makerere University Story”, there was no article by the Convocation office. That possibly tells us that those managing MUC office possibly have nothing worth telling the world of their activities and achievements.

It is said that to date, over 300,000 students have graduated from the University of whom more than 1000 at PhD level. An active MUC should be able to mobilize at least 5% of that figure which is 15,000 and have them as active participants and contributors to financing the MUC Projects.

I think it is time for MUC to work as the driver for the future of Makerere University. Makerere University is known the worldover. Why don’t we see projects and partnerships initiated by those managing MUC to see to the welfare of the students, staff and the Alumni? 

Those wanting to take positions in MUC on December 30, should think of MUC whose fruits can be seen by all. I for one have my email contact with MUC but I don’t see any emails sent by the office. A serious MUC within just one month should be able to have at least 10,000 email contacts of Makerere University Alumni who they should keep contact with and get ideas from.

There are many issues that concern the Students at Makerere but MUC is always silent about them.

The in coming administration should get the Convocation out of slumber, seek professional guidance on how MUC can become an engine for the infrastructural development at Makerere University among other areas that the Convocation can participate in.

I remember as an individual I decided to fundraise for the reconstruction of the Main Building. 

https://makmainbuildingreconstruction.blogspot.com/2021/04/support-reconstruction-of-makerere.html?m=1

Not only that, I was involved in Makerere University Private Students’ Parents’ Association (MUPRISPA) a Company registered by Guarantee at the Registrars office. Those I have that background, I cannot waste time competing for leadership of MUC because of the politics there.

Evidence of some of MUPRISPA’s work and activities on the Internet:

https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1118898/muk-exploiting-poor

https://www.newvision.co.ug/news/1117977/muprispa-grateful-president-museveni

https://www.observer.ug/education/85-education/13800-woes-of-a-private-student

https://allafrica.com/stories/200207180691.html

http://hecarethforyou.blogspot.com/2014/02/while-uganda-government-failed-to.html?m=1

http://hecarethforyou.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-student-loan-scheme-designed-for.html?m=1

http://williamkituuka.blogspot.com/2010/07/has-makerere-university-private.html?m=1

I however pray that one day, someone turns MUC round into a positive vehicle that can deliver for Makerere University, the undergraduates, the Alumni and the staff at the University.

The article below gives the current picture of MUC by different people.

https://www.independent.co.ug/makerere-university-convocation-at-crossroads/