Summary:
- Established in 1957 in Butobere, Central Division, Kabale Municipality, Kigezi College Butobere, commonly known as Siniya, is currently facing a decline with crumbling infrastructure, outdated furniture, and inadequate lavatories.
KABALE: Kigezi College Butobere Old Boys are grappling with uncertainty about the school’s future as infrastructure continues to deteriorate, despite the government’s plan to release 3 billion shillings for a much-needed facelift.
In July 2023, Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang announced that the Government of Uganda has taken significant steps towards revamping eight secondary schools in the Kigezi sub-region. This initiative is supported by a grant from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and a concessionary credit facility from the World Bank. Ogwang noted that Kigezi College Butobere is one of the eight carefully selected schools, part of a broader plan to improve 120 traditional secondary schools nationwide. This project is spearheaded by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni.
Although the government plans to release the 3 billion shillings, Kigezi College Butobere Old Boys remain uncertain about whether the facelift will materialize. They argue that over the past five years, the government has allocated funds annually for the school’s renovations, only for Kabale municipality authorities to receive orders to withhold spending the money, without explanation. Consequently, these funds have been returned to the treasury.
Counsel Elvis Twenda, Chairperson of the Siniya Alumni Forum, expressed frustration that the school’s current condition is deterring parents from sending their children there. He also revealed a shocking discovery stating that despite the school’s long history, it did not possess a land title until recent alumni efforts. Twenda stated that they had to use personal funds to secure the title.
CUE IN COUNSEL TWENDA…….ON THE ISSUE…ENG/
Moses Ntahobari, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, stated that despite the returned funds, he met with the Education Commissioner last week, who advised the school to formally request the release of the 3 billion shillings to kickstart the facelift. Ntahobari is optimistic that once the funds are released, they will either hire local contractors or engage the UPDF Engineering Brigade for the work.
CUE IN NTAHOBARI……ON THE MATTER…RR/
Justus Mastiko, Head Teacher of Kigezi College Butobere, emphasized that revitalizing the school would not only attract more learners but also significantly enhance the learning environment.
CUE IN MASTIKO……ON STRUCTURES…RR/ENG/
Kabale District Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rehabilitating traditional schools, including Kigezi College Butobere, to align with the NRM government’s vision of social and economic transformation by enhancing and supporting science subjects.
CUE IN RDC NYAKAHUMA….ON GOVT…ENG//
Last Saturday, Kigezi College Butobere Old Boys officially launched the Siniya Academic Fund to assist academically talented students facing financial challenges. Alumni believe this initiative will boost enrollment and academic performance, helping restore the school’s former reputation as a leading educational institution in the Kigezi sub-region.
Established in 1957 in Butobere, Central Division, Kabale Municipality, Kigezi College Butobere, commonly known as Siniya, is currently facing a decline with crumbling infrastructure, outdated furniture, and inadequate lavatories. This deterioration has led to a significant drop in student enrollment; the school, once home to over 1,000 students, now has only 210.
