CHRISTMAS IN THE GOOD DAYS AT NAMUTAMBA

The insecurity in Uganda around 1972 led to a difficult decision by the Lea Wilson’s to leave the country. Much of what Namutamba was is attributed to the efforts of the Lea Wilson’s who started an estate in the area as well as founded the current Namutamba Demonstration School. The estate, the Dem School and Namutamba TTC were later the pivot around which civilization and community development was based in the area. I recall the holiday time when we used to play a number of games from the Lea Wilson’s play grounds. Many of our parents were able to educate us from the pay received from the payment for their labour to the estate. Namutamba produced model teachers out of which Mengo primary education was based at the time, then the evolution of Kampala Parents’ School to mention a few. Christmas was no mean a day at Namutamba. I remember when we used to get a group of Christians sing Christmas Carols at different residences towards Christmas. Namutamba was unique, Namutamba was innovative. Boxing day used to be a big unity day at Namutamba when the community met and there were sporting activities. It is sad that Namutamba is no longer what used to shine through the 1960’s and 1970’s. The role of the Balokole! It is sad. Merry Christmas to Namutamba Community.

IT IS SAD, I FAILED TO TRAVEL TO BURY PAUL KINENE!

It is sad; I have not been able to attend the burial of Paul. I had thought that I would get to pay for transport at Mengo. As I arrived, the bus was already starting on its journey, so I had no opportunity to get on board! The mini bus that followed on was equally full. I resorted to the taxi park. At the park, someone directed me to a vehicle which was out of th queue. When I was informed, I got to the right one when it needed just one person, so I did not get opportunity. Checking on time, it was less than an hour to 2pm. I resigned. To the Namutamba community, there is need to better coordinate transport. As announcements for Paul's death were made, the transport arrangement could have been mentioned. That eases traveling to Namutamba. “May Paul's soul rest in peace” Amen William Kituuka

PAUL KINENE HAS PASSED ON BURIAL 2PM TODAY AT NAMUTAMBA

TAATA NE MAAMA KINENE NGA KITALO EKYA PAUL! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It is so sad that the Kinene family has yet lost a 3rd child! It is very sad. It is very sad to learn that Paul Kinine has passed on! I remember Paul a hard working boy in child hood. He was like his father, a boy who loved the same trade as Taata Kinene. I happen to listen to personal announcements and at past 5pm, I heard the announcement that Paul had breathed his last and was due for burial today at Namutamba at 2pm. It is very sad to see Paul also following the other two members of the family. To those of us who benefitted so much from the services of the Kinene's it is sad. I remember Mrs Kinene as my teacher in the infant section, then Mr Kinene who not only used to take us back to school, but was responsible for the water system at Namutamba, repairing electric installations and constructions just to mention a few. To Mr and Mrs Kinene, I can only say, we are short of words. Tubakwasa Mukama. Mukama yebazibwe. William Kituuka

NAMUTAMBA SECONDARY SCHOOL – A BENEFICIARY OF UPPET/APL1 PROJECT FUNDS

The road to the School

The road as it enters the School compound

Some of the School blocks

A student reading at School - note, the place has rocky surface

Students outside their classroom

Part of the compound

In class While reading through the New Vision newspaper of Monday, November 26, 2012, I came across a Press Release on Page 24 & 25 by the Ministry of Education and Sports: Uganda Post primary Education and Training Program – UPPET/APL1 Project; and what was most interesting is that Namutamba Secondary School featured among the beneficiary schools and the Head teacher is expected to be among those to offer accountability at Kololo Secondary School on Monday, 10th December 2012 starting at 9.00am. WHY WAS I PARTICULARLY IMPRESSED? I recall in 1984, I was approached by the Late Bakka who was at Namutamba Tea Estate, and he requested me to help the parents of Namutamba community revive Namutamba Secondary School. It is true that in the early 1970’s, this had existed at Butumbizi Parish Church grounds, but failed in sustainability. I responded positively and offered services for one term as head of the team in 1984, before I left to eventually take up a post as Trainee Accountant in Uganda Commercial Bank. While my stay was very short, great credit goes to my father the Late Besuel Kiwanuka, he was able to take on headship for no monetary rewards till he retired from the teaching service at Namutamba Teachers’ College. When I visited the school after many years in 2011, I was shocked to learn that 27 years later, the school had not acquired HSC status. This was a drawback and I really longed for an opportunity to have some input to boost the school for I believe a student should be able to study at Namutamba up to Form Six, and again with community mobilization, we should be able to see these students get post Secondary Education in vocational fields. I wish to caution the Management at Namutamba Secondary School that Namutamba had been founded on Christian morals and some of us are still alive to see these morals sustained on. It is very important to see the School Administration live to the expectation of the founders of Namutamba a centre of not only excellence at training teachers, but also at education of children at Namutamba Demonstration School and the Christian Revival which had a lot of ground at Namutamba. There are so many people in administration who have misused the opportunities they have had to serve the people of Uganda. They have seen the opportunity like this one as chance to loot and declare false accountability, but later, the structures put up have been able to expose these people. Pit latrines a re a good case in point in a number of primary schools around the country. There is all the hope that unlike elsewhere, at Namutamba, those in-charge of the management and supervision of the UPPET/APL1 Funds will not be a source of shame to the good name Namutamba earned the hard way through the moral efforts of our parents. We look forward to value for money. William Kituuka Kiwanuka

GODFREY BWANDINGA LAUNCHES A DRIVE TO FUND RAISE FOR SEATS FOR ALL SAINTS CHURCH LUSISIRA ON SUNDAY, 9TH DECEMBER 2012

On Friday, November 30, 2012, Godfrey Bwandinga (0782 363522) reached out to a number of Namutamba Community members. His mission was to inform the community members that the Canon of Butumbizi Parish Church was to officiate at a Fundraising Drive to see to the buying of seats worth putting in the All Saints Church – Lusisira. This Church has a very good outlook from out, unfortunately, there are no seats worth looking at and seating on. Godfrey therefore wishes to call upon all children from Namutamba to help in the effort of seeing worthy seats put into the Church. Earlier on, each of the seats could be got at shs 250,000 but, because of depreciation of the shilling, the amount ought to be much more now. It is hoped that those who intend to attend the function on 9th December where the Parish Community will pray from Lusisira, will get transport after contacting Godfrey for the charges to be paid for group transport for those who may not be able to use their own means. Bwandinga says that this is the 1st step in seeing a number of other developments contributed to as away of seeing a facelift to Namutamba, which we should do as a community. I however want us to encourage the community of Namutamba more so those who pray regularly at Lusisira Church to undertake some savings as a group, more so when some milk is saved, say a litre a day and this contributed to a group contribution and funds from this may enable the buying of a seat monthly as a group effort. William Kituuka Kiwanuka