Our History
KIGEZI COLLEGE BUTOBERE – A HISTORY
Location
The Central Government of the day faced with religious problems mounting in Ugandan schools which were mainly church-founded, decided to build schools which were non-aligned. Former Kigezi – Kabale, Rukungiri and Kisoro districts were among those districts to get this type of school.
Being a government-founded school, the Central Government decided to use the D.C and an Administrative Secretary to locate
a place where a school could be built. It so happened that Mr.Paul Ngorogoza who was the Administrative Secretary at the time was alleged to have been catholic biased.
The representatives of the government came from Kampala, and with the District Commissioner asked Mr. P. Ngorogoza to help them locate a suitable place for the school. They were first taken to Nyarushanje as an appropriate place for the school. According to the officials, this place wasvery far from the DistrictAdministrative centre and communication was poor. He then took them to
Kebisoni. This is found in the present Rukungiri District. This place was also rejected for the same reasons as had disqualified Nyarushanje. To make matters worse, he took them to Kinkizi county at Kanungu as another possible place. This was also rejected as it was a real remote
area.
The then Kigezi District Council sat at the district headquarters to decide where the school could be built. They agreed that it should be built at Rutoma near Rwakaraba area. This decision met with resistance from the Catholic community. This happened because there was a
Catholic church in the area. They thought the government was trying to take away their land. So the decision was rejected.
Some councillors, Mr. P. Ngorogoza and other government officials decided to look for an alternative. They went to Kihumuro area beyond
Nyakijumba Catholic church and thought the school could be built there. But being far away from town, they thought there would be a problem with transport. Being Catholic land also, it was not partial and would have to be compensated, so it was rejected.
Mr. Ngorogoza is alleged to have become annoyed. People whom he was supposed to show a place to build a school, were seen to be against his ideas. He decided this time to suggest a swampy area – Butobere. So, Mr. Ngorogoza and the government officials climbed the present Butaturwa Hill so as to view that area clearly. The place being a swampy area, looked very flat from above. Well, with that kind
of view, the government officials were taken in. They thanked Mr. Ngorogoza for showing them such a wonderful place. To the British Government officials, it was near the headquarters, had easy communication, few people to be compensated and, above all, a flat area which could be developed.
For Mr.Ngorogoza, on the other hand it was a shock. These people refused places which were not swampy and accepted a swampy one. According to some people who were there, Mr.Ngorogoza started asking questions which showed bias on his part. How, he wondered, would you build in the swamps? Who would be the Headmaster of the school? Which religion would be taught in this school? ….and soon.
To all these questions. he was in formed that the school would be based on non-alignment There after, the government sent Surveyors
to map the land Contractors were enlisted contracted by the government and the work of putting up buildings started. This work started in 1956 but the first admission was in 1957. The first contract was done by the British under British Aid. The second contract was through US Aid Programme for the people of Uganda.
The student pioneers were only Protestants and Moslems because Catholics were told that if they joined the school, they would be spoilt. Fortunately for Catholics, Mr. Ngorogoza was transferred to the office of a magistrate and Mr Kitaburaza was brought in to work as an Administrative Secretary. This new man in the office decided to make a point and convince the Catholic community to allow their sons to join Butobere school. Mr Kitaburaza with the help of the District Commissioner and one Ezekiel Balaba, mobilised all the sub-counties. They dispelled the fears which were always advanced by Catholic leaders that their sons would be spoilt. As a result, Catholic students were
enroled.
The government posted five pioneer teachers, Mr. C. Bowman as headmaster, Mr. J. Nyakatura, Mr. R. Bolton, Mr. Baumber and Mrs. E. Blain. The members of pioneer students were twenty five.
The school was eventually renamed Kigezi College Butobere by the Headmaster, Mr. G. E.Thomas, around 1964-1965.
Shared by Tumwesome Sil Booker D/Headmaster (Acad). 1994 to 1997
Roger F. L. Wilkins 1963-1970
Roger FL Wilkins was a teacher of chemistry and physics at Siniya from 1963 to 1970. For part of this period, Mr Wilkins was headmaster of the school.
Around1996, Roger served again in Uganda as the Director of the British Council. He fully took part in the celebration of 40 years of Siniya in 1997. He was known for his meticulous keeping of records. He enjoyed taking photographs and many of these found their way with ‘basiniya’.
Siniya@60Magazine Editorial Team requested Mr Wilkins to provide extra content to beef up the historical background of the school. To the best of his memory, Roger sent us the following to beef up the Siniya story, some parts with our edition
Buildings
1957
There were original single-storey colonial structures consisting of four classrooms, three laboratories, the kitchen, the hall-cum-dining room, an administration block, the clinic, six staff houses, and several dormitories, namely Bwankosya, Sharp and Makobore.
1963/64
The USAID-funded project including Kennedy Hall and the attached double-storey classroom block, the library and attached double-storey classroom block, two double-storey dormitories (including Bikangaga) and foundations for two houses similar in design with Bikangaga, located near Bikangaga, Makobore and Byankosya. There were four staff houses, a kitchen on which improvements such as electric boilers were installed and Clinic improvements were done.
1966
Four or five Uganda Government-funded staff houses were added on the hill overlooking the main campus.
1990s
By the 90s, two to three government or donor-funded classrooms/labs were in place.
I arrived in September 1963 and immediately occupied one of the USAID-funded staff houses but I do not recall any of the new teaching or dormitory
facilities being used in my first term. I do not think they became operational until 1964. Robert White and family arrived at the same time and also immediately occupied a second USAID-funded staff house.
1997
By 1997 there were four generations of buildings.
Shared by F.L. Wilkins
Student population
In 1962 there were four single stream classes, S1-S4, occupying four classrooms. For 1963 two streams were selected for the S1 entry, making a total of five classes.
For 1964 two streams were selected for the S1 entry, making a total of seven classes. Double-streaming was repeated for the S1 entry in 1965, making nine classes.
In 1966 we had 12 classes, when triple streaming started. At approximately 35 students per class the student population was of the order of 420 at the start of 1966, an increase of 240% over three years. I do not have any figures for any expansions that took place beyond 1970.
Teaching Staff
The teaching staff in September 1963 were:
- Leon Gower (maths), headmaster;
- David Anderson (English), deputy headmaster;
- Stephen Brazier (history, English, religious education);
- Chris Malinga (geography); Robert White (biology);
- James Basaza (history);
- Pat Hurley (USA – chemistry);
- Roger Wilkins (Physics, Chemistry).
During the course of 1964 all the 1963 staff departed except for Robert White and Roger Wilkins.
The following staff arrived during 1964:
- Graham Thomas (English), headmaster;
- Anthony Conlon (English);
- Pam Conlon (Geography, English);
- George Lamb (History, English);
- James Collins (Physics);
- Robert Burnett (Chemistry).
I do not recall any departures during 1964.
During 1965 the arrivals were:
- Lucas Korvin (Maths);
- Richard Geoffrey White (Geography);
- Carl Georgeson (Biology);
- Hugh Desaram (English);
- Rodney Wilson (English);
- Jaqueline Wilson(Mrs) (English).
The departures were: Robert White and Bob Burnett.
During 1966 the following staff arrived:
- David Wilson (Maths);
- Murray McCrae (English);
- John Harvey (Biology).
The following departed: Graham Thomas and Hugh Desaram.
During 1967 the following teachers arrived:
- William Lamplough (Physics);
- David Whiteley (Maths);
- Graham Birch (Biology);
- Thomas Gemmell (Physics);
- Elizabeth Gemmell(Mrs) (English);
- Ken Hamid (Technical Drawing);
- Kaj Jorgensen (Denmark – Physics);
- Robin Hammett (English, French).
However, John Harvey, James Collins and Jersey Kyikabahenda departed.
During 1968 the following arrived:
- Henning Jensen (Denmark – Physics, Maths);
- Michael Donnan (English);
- Vivian Morris (Geography).
However, during 1969 William Lamplough, and Vivian Morris departed.
The following year, in April 1970, Roger Wilkins departed.
I scantily recall a Biology teacher from Lango (Onen Lawot, 1967?), an Art teacher from Buganda (Mukasa?), a VSO volunteer (Wendy Reynolds 1968?), a locally-engaged expatriate (James Fairbarn), and a Biology teacher from Toro, Tibasiimwa-Abwoli. All these made valuable contribution but I can’t recall reliable dates for their service.
Extra-curricular activities
Many staff in the 1960s contributed to sports including the following:
Football was the leading sporting activity and Robert White was the most qualified, enthusiastic and successful, closely followed by Graham Birch. In the absence of a football specialist on the staff after the departure of Robert White and Graham Birch, Richard White supervised and encouraged the school team from around 1968.
Athletics, mainly the cross-country around the entire school boundary, was supervised with discipline and energy by Lucas Korvin who also introduced rugby to the school.
Cricket was supervised by Roger Wilkins for several years.
Richard White created a Tennis court and a Basketball court and both sports were popular.
Robert Burnett coached and supervised the Tennis team.
Drama: Jaqueline Wilson produced several full-dress school plays, most notably Julius Caesar and The Taming of the Shrew, ably supported by David Wilson.
Technical Classes: Kaj Jorgensen introduced technical sessions including motor vehicle mechanics. He made the sun dial between the S1 and laboratory block, which much excited the students. This was a device on the ground that could tell time all year round using the shadow of a stick and ‘movement’ of the sun.
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I taught English at Butobere from 1965 to 1970, when I moved to Nabumali HS in Mbale. I loved my time there, but I do not remember the name Siniya being used at that time. When and how did it start?
Does anyone remember James Birihanze? He was a very talented student, destined for great things, bit was sadly killed during the invasion from Tanzania to oust Idi Amin.
My email is rod.beehive@tiscali.co.uk and I am happy for it to be published.
Like Tom Gemmell, I have excellent memories of my time at KCB, 1965-70, when I moved to Nabumale HS in Mbale. I taught English and on a number of occasions I took parties o boys to the Ruwenzori where they encountered snow for the very first time! I remember many students with great affection and two stand out especially. James Birihanze was extremely talented but sadly lost his life during the invasion from Tanzania against Amin. He would have had a great future. Another was Petero Kwizera who fortunately spent the whole Amin era at MIT in the US and became a fine academic. Can I please ask someone to explain the origin of the name Siniya as I never came across it during my time there. I am happy for my email address to be published. rod.beehive@tiscali.co.uk
this is the most advanced history of a great school indeed am proud to be part of it………2016……progress through labour
I was once a student from 1984-1988
I am very grateful to God that I was educated at the gallant SINIYA for all my six years of high school. Oh, how I enjoyed the rich collection of the school library. Night time prep studies were my enjoyment in that rich library. My studies in History, Geography, Biology and Literature were enjoyable because of the rich library! My leadership abilities were also harnessed here. As a current Boy Scout Commissioner for Lubaga here in Kampala, my Scouting skills were fanned aflame at Kigezi College Butobere – SINIYA. One interesting memory is when we formed a project of a “see-saw” bridge as Boy Scouts from Siniya and presented the project at the district Science Fair of the year 2000 (the fair was attended by all Secondary schools in Kabale ) and amazingly, our project was selected as the best Physics project in the whole district! This was at National Teachers’ College (NTC) Kabale. We were privileged and excited to represent Kabale district at Mandela National Stadium – Namboole for the national science competitions! The headteacher by then was Mr. Wakwaale Bernard, the patron for Scouts was Tr. Nyesiga Grace and the team of Scouts was, Birungi Julius, Ezekiel Ngobi Bukomba, Twesigye Richard, Bamwesigye Crippen, et al.
Finally, the greatest turning point in my life: my faith life also happened between the S.2 block and S.1 block in the year 1999. I got an encounter with the voice of the Lord and the call to salvation. I’d just come from a junior preparatory seminary (St. Mukasa Preparatory Seminary – Mushanga) and I thought that somehow the good manners were in themselves enough for salvation, till the voice of Christ Himself intercepted me on that beautiful green compound in the mid morning hours that lovely day at Siniya; calling me to salvation! The details of that journey are in my autobiography which I will launch very soon: all Basiniya shall definitely be invited! As surely as the Lord lives, He’s been faithful to position me to serve Him as an associate pastor at the Robert Kayanja Ministries here in Lubaga, Kampala and also as a voluntary chaplain for the Uganda Scouts Association. I pray that Siniya will arise, shine, inspire and nurture many generations to come.
Blessings…
A very Rich School both in Academics and Co curricular activities. May God bless Kigezi College Butobere💪
I personally believe that there have been some people with Paul Ngorogoza’s spirit aboutKigezi College, Butobere. It is high time that they are proved wrong by the Siniya Alumni determination to revive the school.
I have been looking into my family history and found this that my Grandmother (Joan Lamplough) wrote: –
After three years at Ntare (this would be 1966/67) the government appointed my husband headmaster at Kigezi College in Kigezi. We packed all our belongings into a truck and we were now to live in the Switzerland of Uganda at an altitude of 6000 feet. The college was a boarding school for over 400 boys. I had a very nice house and kept three monkeys, a dog, a cat, and a rabbit. We were only 50 miles from the Congo border and the gorillas lived 13 miles from our house. They are very shy animals and we never saw one. Ishasha River Camp in Queen Elizabeth Park was a favourite camping spot, I have slept in a tent listening to hippo grunting and lion’s roaring. I can even claim to have been chased by an elephant, fortunately we were in the car and outdistanced him.
I would love to visit you some time in the future
Hello, my name is Tom Gemmell. I started my teaching career at Kigezi College when your grandfather was head teacher. This was 1967. Like him I taught science and was acting head teacher for a short time just before I left in 1971, after Idi Amin took over. I have very fond memories of our time there and like your grandparents, had a couple of trips to Ishasha in the Queen Elizabeth game park. I am happy for my email address to be published
gemmelltom1@gmail.com
long live SINIYA
proud to be a musiniya
Long live Kigezi College Butobere (Siniya)
This is very interesting how our Siniya came to be located at Butobere. Indeed as we would be reading during winter, we would encounter water logged conditions suggesting that it was a drained swampy area. In any case the word Butobere suggests something of a soft ground characteristic of swampy areas. The former Enganzi of Ankole Kingdom James Kahigiriza told me similar things about the location and actually told me that he was one of the government surveyors that surveyed the school together with some European bosses. He was still proud of it being part of his landmark surveys.
I am very proud to be a Musiniya and will always be. Very few people know that there are many Basiniya in the diaspora and many in the UN system that have excelled.. In my own aviation world we have had until recently the ICAO regional director in Nairobi Barry Kashambo son of Tindikahwa, Milton Tumusiime an expert on standards and recommended practices, Kabbs Twijuke Uganda’s representative to ICAO and a member of the prestigious Air Navigation Commission of ICAO Council. Very highly respected professional in the world of aviation. I am always proud to be with him in ICAO in Montreal where I see that he is consulted by even the most powerful nations. He has just been leading a mission to the far east on the air navigation commission assignment. Plus of course myself Fred K. Bamwesigye the Current Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority, Chairperson of the Civil Aviation Safety, Security and Oversight Agency for EAC region and Board member of African Aviation Training Organisation ( AATO) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Others include Johnson Mugisha the OC in Soroti plus many other Basiniya professionals in the different aviation organisations.