Demolish old structures at Kigezi College for new structures – Minister Akello

KABALE, UGANDA: The State Minister for Economic Monitoring Ms Beatrice Akello has recommended total demolition of Kigezi College Butobore’s dilapidated structures instead of renovating them claiming that it is more costly to renovate than to put up new structures.

Ms Akello made the directive yesterday while visiting the school where government is set to invest about five billion shillings for the renovation of dilapidated structures. She said that renovating the dilapidated buildings that are currently in an appalling state would cost a lot more money than if new buildings were constructed.

The minister added that she will engage the Ministry of Education and Sports officials to ensure that the structural designs of the renovation plans are changed to cater for the construction of new buildings.

The school’s acting Head Teacher Justus Matsiko said that 8 dilapidated structures are currently abandoned due to a reduction in the school’s enrollment. He added that school enrollment now stands at 223 students with hopes that if the school is revamped, it will be able to attract more students.

However, Emmanuel Byamugisha Sentaro, the Kabale Municipal Mayor who is also an old student at the same school disagreed with the minister’s recommendation saying that they recommended the demolition of only two structures as the municipal council which is the foundation body.

Byamugisha asked the minister to engage the Ministry of Education and Sports to expedite the renovation plans saying that the municipal council is set to send 3 billion shillings back to the treasury at the end of this financial year.

Kigezi College Butobere was established as the only senior secondary school in Kigezi District for boys in January 1957 and remained so until 1965.

The 65-year-old school better known as Siniya was set up by the colonial government to offer secular education to bright Bakiga boys in preparation for the country’s independence.

The school that was once an academics juggernaut in the region had been run down and as a result, shunned by the community due to numerous strikes and maladministration.

Kigezi College Butobere has produced several prominent Ugandans including John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, and the late Governor BoU Prof Emmanuel Tumusiime Mutebile.

Others include; Prof George Mondo Kagonyera, Rt. Rev. George Bagamuhunda, Justice Patrick Tabaro, Justice John Bosco Katutsi, Justice Joseph Murangira, MP Henry Musasizi, Journalist Dr Shaka Ssali among others.