Namilyango College
Encyclopedia
Namilyango College is a boys-only boarding middle and high school located in Mukono District
in Central Uganda
.
, approximately 19 kilometres (11.8 mi), by road, east of Kampala
, Uganda's capital and largest city. It's approximately 8 kilometres (5 mi), by road, southwest of Mukono, the district headquarters. Namilyango College is approximately 3.2 kilometres (2 mi), by road, south of Seeta
, the nearest trading center.
, the first post-primary boarding school in Uganda
. Namilyango College was started with a two-fold purpose: to train Catechists needed for evangelism and to educate the sons of chiefs. The aims and objectives of the school were summarized in the motto "Education for Responsibility", which was adopted to guide the students and teachers alike. Later, the motto "Nisi Dominus" was adopted to give the students a sense of religious devotion, in line with the strong Catholic
foundation of the school.
In what appeared to be a diversion from what was expected of a school or an institution with a strong Christian foundation, Bishop Hanlon emphasized the need and quest for a satisfactory system of free discipline. Bishop Hanlon emphasized that except during class hours, the boys would be without supervision, as that would positively contribute to the formation of their character. The school was aware that rigid supervision of the students' spare time activities would be detrimental to their character development. The school thus developed a liberal tradition at the very time of its inception, and 95 years later, the tradition has been maintained. And this tradition has, among other things, led to the establishment of the unique position of the school.
Barely after four years, the new school however began to be affected by changes. In September 1906, the catechists who constituted a certain percentage of the students in Namilyango, were transferred to another institution that had been created for that purpose. After this move, the school's name was changed to "Sacred Heart Namilyango High School". But the "Sacred Heart" was never popular. It never came out to be identified as the name of the school. Thus at that time, the school was largely known as "Namilyango High School".
In 1907, another change come about. Fr. Philip Jackson, the headmaster, was told that in addition to his duties as headmaster, he was also to take up duties as a Pastor of the area, an area later to become Namilyango Parish. This new arrangement meant new responsibilities for the headmaster, and meant that in effect, the school and the parish were to be inextricably linked. This arrangement was welcomed but was not permanent. Thus in September, 1912 the parish was once again separated from the school, each with its own head.
In August 1929, the Brothers of Christian Instruction order (The Kisubi Brothers) took over the school and named it 'St. Aloysius College.' However, after three years, the Mill Hill Fathers took it over again in 1932, under Fr. P. Preyde.
For along time afterward the school was subjected to many changes occasioned by the government and the church policies. For example, government introduced a new system of naming schools whereby secondary boarding schools were to be called colleges. Thus, the school became Namilyango College.
During 1941–1945, new dormitories were built and enrollment rose to 125 students in 1945. In 1943 earlier on, the school had been chosen as one of the self governing schools of the Protectorate under the terms of The Thomas Report. In the same year, Cadet Corps and Boxing Clubs started.
For the period that the school existed, it became literary engrossed in the national and regional affairs of the country. Between 1902, and the eve of Uganda's independence, Namilyango College had already carved out a name for itself, as one of the most prominent educational institutions in the country. Towards independence, many of the students who had passed through the school had occupied important positions in the civil service, society and pre-independence politics. While many of the schools in Uganda today were just starting, Namilyango College had gone at least one step ahead. But it remained an 'O' level institution. In 1960, two years before National Independence, the school was granted 'A' Level status, thus becoming a fully-fledged 'A' Level boarding school for boys.
, owing to its excellent academic performance and dominance in sports disciplines. For long, it was the best school in boxing, until the sport was stopped in the school in the early 1990s. Rugby union
is the biggest sport in the College. Namilyango has won the national schools' rugby title more than any other school, and this is reflected by the numbers of players it has sent on to the national team. In 2003, Namilyango College was rated the 65th best high school on the Africa
n continent. Namilyango College was a pioneer in Information Technology
in Uganda
n schools, building one of the first computer labs.
, King's College Budo and Busoga College Mwiri.
In recent times the bad blood has been with Budo and SMACK (Kisubi) for the Rugby honours, as Namilyango has won four (4) schools' championships in the last six (6) years, compared to one (1) each for their rivals. On the other hand the school has maintained cordial relations with schools like: Gayaza High School
, Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga
and Trinity College Nabbingo
.
Subject combinations offered at "A" Level include
Prominent alumni (Old Ngonians)=
Former students of Namilyango College are called Old Ngonians.
Some of the prominent alumni of the school include:
Mukono District
Mukono District is a district in Central Uganda. Like most other Ugandan districts, it is named after its 'chief town' - Mukono.-Location:Mukono District is bordered by Kayunga District to the north, Buikwe District to the east, the Republic of Tanzania to the south, Kalangala District to the...
in Central Uganda
Central Region, Uganda
Central Region is a region of Uganda. It is coterminous with the Kingdom of Buganda, one of the ancient African monarchies that are constitutionally recognised in Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
.
Location
The school is situated on a lush green campus on Namilyango HillNamilyango
Namilyango is a hill in Mukono District in south-central Uganda. The hill rises above sea level. The name "Namilyango" is also applied to the village that occupies the hill and the schools and churches that are located there.-Location:...
, approximately 19 kilometres (11.8 mi), by road, east of Kampala
Kampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
, Uganda's capital and largest city. It's approximately 8 kilometres (5 mi), by road, southwest of Mukono, the district headquarters. Namilyango College is approximately 3.2 kilometres (2 mi), by road, south of Seeta
Seeta, Uganda
-Location:Seeta is situated on the main highway between Kampala and Jinja, on the Kampala-Jinja Highway. It is located approximately , by road, east of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. This location is in Mukono District, Central Uganda...
, the nearest trading center.
History
The school was opened on 23 March 1902, with 13 students, by the Mill Hill MissionariesMill Hill Missionaries
Mill Hill Missionaries is a society of Catholic missionaries founded in 1866.-External links:* * * http://www.vocationsireland.com/missionpriests/millhill.html...
, the first post-primary boarding school in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
. Namilyango College was started with a two-fold purpose: to train Catechists needed for evangelism and to educate the sons of chiefs. The aims and objectives of the school were summarized in the motto "Education for Responsibility", which was adopted to guide the students and teachers alike. Later, the motto "Nisi Dominus" was adopted to give the students a sense of religious devotion, in line with the strong Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
foundation of the school.
In what appeared to be a diversion from what was expected of a school or an institution with a strong Christian foundation, Bishop Hanlon emphasized the need and quest for a satisfactory system of free discipline. Bishop Hanlon emphasized that except during class hours, the boys would be without supervision, as that would positively contribute to the formation of their character. The school was aware that rigid supervision of the students' spare time activities would be detrimental to their character development. The school thus developed a liberal tradition at the very time of its inception, and 95 years later, the tradition has been maintained. And this tradition has, among other things, led to the establishment of the unique position of the school.
Barely after four years, the new school however began to be affected by changes. In September 1906, the catechists who constituted a certain percentage of the students in Namilyango, were transferred to another institution that had been created for that purpose. After this move, the school's name was changed to "Sacred Heart Namilyango High School". But the "Sacred Heart" was never popular. It never came out to be identified as the name of the school. Thus at that time, the school was largely known as "Namilyango High School".
In 1907, another change come about. Fr. Philip Jackson, the headmaster, was told that in addition to his duties as headmaster, he was also to take up duties as a Pastor of the area, an area later to become Namilyango Parish. This new arrangement meant new responsibilities for the headmaster, and meant that in effect, the school and the parish were to be inextricably linked. This arrangement was welcomed but was not permanent. Thus in September, 1912 the parish was once again separated from the school, each with its own head.
In August 1929, the Brothers of Christian Instruction order (The Kisubi Brothers) took over the school and named it 'St. Aloysius College.' However, after three years, the Mill Hill Fathers took it over again in 1932, under Fr. P. Preyde.
For along time afterward the school was subjected to many changes occasioned by the government and the church policies. For example, government introduced a new system of naming schools whereby secondary boarding schools were to be called colleges. Thus, the school became Namilyango College.
During 1941–1945, new dormitories were built and enrollment rose to 125 students in 1945. In 1943 earlier on, the school had been chosen as one of the self governing schools of the Protectorate under the terms of The Thomas Report. In the same year, Cadet Corps and Boxing Clubs started.
For the period that the school existed, it became literary engrossed in the national and regional affairs of the country. Between 1902, and the eve of Uganda's independence, Namilyango College had already carved out a name for itself, as one of the most prominent educational institutions in the country. Towards independence, many of the students who had passed through the school had occupied important positions in the civil service, society and pre-independence politics. While many of the schools in Uganda today were just starting, Namilyango College had gone at least one step ahead. But it remained an 'O' level institution. In 1960, two years before National Independence, the school was granted 'A' Level status, thus becoming a fully-fledged 'A' Level boarding school for boys.
Reputation
Namilyango College is among the most prestigious schools in UgandaUganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
, owing to its excellent academic performance and dominance in sports disciplines. For long, it was the best school in boxing, until the sport was stopped in the school in the early 1990s. Rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
is the biggest sport in the College. Namilyango has won the national schools' rugby title more than any other school, and this is reflected by the numbers of players it has sent on to the national team. In 2003, Namilyango College was rated the 65th best high school on the Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n continent. Namilyango College was a pioneer in Information Technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
in Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
n schools, building one of the first computer labs.
Rivalries
Over the years a tradition of Namilyango College has been the rivalries with fellow prestigious schools, in Academics, Sports and socialising. The rivals have included, in decreasing order of rivalry: St. Mary's College KisubiSt. Mary's College Kisubi
St. Mary's College Kisubi is a boys-only boarding middle and high school located in Wakiso District in Central Uganda.-Location:The school is situated on a campus at Kisubi, approximately , by road, south of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
, King's College Budo and Busoga College Mwiri.
In recent times the bad blood has been with Budo and SMACK (Kisubi) for the Rugby honours, as Namilyango has won four (4) schools' championships in the last six (6) years, compared to one (1) each for their rivals. On the other hand the school has maintained cordial relations with schools like: Gayaza High School
Gayaza High School
Gayaza High School is an all-girls boarding school covering grades 8 -13 in Uganda. It is the oldest girls' school in the country.-Location:The school is located in the town of Gayaza, in Wakiso District, approximately northeast of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The school grounds...
, Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga
Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga
Mount Saint Mary's College Namagunga is an all-girl boarding school located in Buikwe District in Uganda. The school is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lugazi.-Location:...
and Trinity College Nabbingo
Trinity College Nabbingo
Trinity College Nabbingo , is an all-girls boarding school covering grades 8 -13 in Central Uganda.-Location:The school is located on a hill in the village of Nabbingo, in Wakiso District. This location lies approximately , by road, southwest of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. This...
.
Academics
Subjects offered at "O" Level include- Agriculture
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Christian Religious Education
- Commerce
- Computer Studies
- English
- Fine Art
- French
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Physical Education
- Physics
- Political Science
Subject combinations offered at "A" Level include
- Arts
- History, Economics, Divinity and Geography (HED/G)
- History, Economics, Divinity and Literature (HED/L)
- Mathematics, Economics and Geography (MEG)
- Sciences
- Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM)
- Physics, Economics, and Mathematics (PEM)
- Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Subsidiary Mathematics (PCB/SM)
Houses of Residence
The College has ten residential houses and a hostel. The "O" Level students reside in the residential houses while the "A" Level students reside in Minderop Hostel, named after Father Minderop, the first Headmaster of the College. The ten residential houses are:- Biermans House - Named after Father Biermans, a Mill Hill MissionaryMill Hill MissionariesMill Hill Missionaries is a society of Catholic missionaries founded in 1866.-External links:* * * http://www.vocationsireland.com/missionpriests/millhill.html...
(MHM) - Billington House - Named after Bishop Billington (MHM)
- Campling House - Named after Father Campling (MHM)
- Doyle House - Named after Reverend Father Captain Bernard Doyle (MHM), a former Headmaster
- Hanlon House - "House of Lords", named after Bishop Hanlon (MHM), accommodated the first students on 23 March 1902
- Kiwanuka House - Named after Archbishop Kiwanuka, the first native AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n to be appointed ArchbishopArchbishopAn archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in East AfricaEast AfricaEast Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:... - Kuipers House - Named after Father Bernard Kuipers (MHM), served the College for 30 years as teacher, Headmaster,and Chaplain
- McKee House - Named after Father McKee (MHM)
- Mukasa House - Named after Mr. Noah Mukasa, a former Biology teacher at the College
- Reensich House - Named after Bishop Reensich (MHM)
Prominent alumni (Old Ngonians)=
Former students of Namilyango College are called Old Ngonians.
Some of the prominent alumni of the school include:
Royals
- Prince Yozefu Musanje Walugembe, MBE of Buganda Kingdom, was also a Worl War II veteran
- Prince Augustin Tebandeke of Buganda Kingdom
- Prince David Kamurasi Ishagara of Toro Kingdom
Politics
- George Cosmas AdyeboGeorge Cosmas AdyeboGeorge Cosmas Adyebo was a Ugandan politician and economist. He became prime minister of Uganda on January 22, 1991 when prime minister Samson Kisekka became vice-president. Adyebo served as prime minister for nearly 4 years, until November 18, 1994. Six years later he died at the International...
, Prime Minister 1991–1994 - Cuthbert Obwangor, Minister of Regional Affairs 1962–1967
- Matthias Ngobi, Minister of Agriculture and Co-operatives 1962–1966
- Gerald Sendaula, Minister of Finance 1998–2005 and MP for Bukoto 1980–2005
- Kezimbira Miyingo, Minister for the Environment 1996–2006
- Agard Didi, Minister for Microfinance 1996–2006 and MP Moyo West 1996–2006
- Prof. Semakula Kiwanuka, Minister 2001–2006, Ambassador to UAE and MP 1996–2011
- Fred MukisaFred MukisaFrederick Douglas Mwanja Mukisa, commonly known as Fred Mukisa, is a Ugandan educator and politician. He served as the State Minister for Fisheries in the Ugandan Cabinet, from 01 June 2006 until 27 May 2011. In the cabinet reshuffle of 27 May 2011, he was dropped from the cabinet and replaced by...
, Minister for Fisheries 2006–2011 and MP for Bukooli Central 2006–2011 - Andrew Lutaakome Kayiira, Minister of Internal Affairs 1979–1980
- Prof. Isaac Newton Ojok, Minister for Education 1980–1985
- Norbert MaoNorbert MaoNorbert Mao is a Ugandan lawyer and politician. He is the current president of the Democratic Party, and the Local Council 5 Chairman for Gulu District.-Background:He was born on March 12, 1967. His father was Acholi and his mother was a Munyankole...
, Democratic Party 2011 Presidential candidate - Jeremiah Twatwa, MP for Iki-Iki County 2011–
The Church
- Fr. Lukyamuzi, parish priest Namilyango Parish
- Rt. Rev. Dr. Micheal Kyomya, Bishop of Busoga Diocese
- Pastor Martin Sempa, Makerere Community Chapel and AIDS activist
Law
- Justice Bart Magunda KatureebeBart Magunda KatureebeBart Magunda Katureebe is a Ugandan judge. He is a Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda.-References:...
, Justice of the Supreme Court of Uganda - Justice John Bosco Katutsi, Judge of the High Court of Uganda
- Bernard Katureebe, lawyer of the High Court of Uganda and Solicitor of England and Wales
- Pius Kawere, lawyer
- Joseph Bossa, lawyer and Secretary General of UPC
- Livingstone Sewanyana, lawyer and human rights activist
- John Sempebwa, lawyer
Civil Service
- Maj. Gen. Francis Nyangweso, Chairman UOC and Olympian 1958–1964
- Angelo Onegi-Obel, Governor Bank of Uganda 1973–1978 and Presidential Advisor
- Geoffrey Onegi-Obel, Chairman NSSF Board of Directors
- Leo Kibirango, Governor Bank of Uganda
- Martin Orech, Head of Civil Service
- Chris Kasami, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance
Academics
- Prof. John Sebuwufu, Vice Chancellor Makerere University 1993–2001
- Prof. John Sebastian Mugerwa
- Prof. Nelson SewankamboNelson SewankamboNelson K. Sewankambo, sometimes spelled as Nelson Sewankambo is a Ugandan physician, academician, medical researcher and medical administrator...
, Dean Makerere College of Health Sciences and Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians - Prof. David SerwaddaDavid SerwaddaDavid M. Serwadda is a Ugandan physician, medical researcher, academic, public health specialist and medical administrator. Currently he is a Professor of Public Health at Makerere University School of Public Health , one of the schools of Makerere University College of Health Sciences, a...
, Dean Makerere University School of Public Health - Prof. Francis Miiro, professor emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Makerere University School of Medicine
- Prof. Charles Sali, Otolaryngologist and professor of ENT, Makerere University School of Medicine
- Dr. Joseph Carasco, professor emeritus of Biochemistry, Makerere University
- Dr. Englebrecht Ssekasozi, professor emeritus of Philosophy at Makerere University, Knoxville College and Lincoln University Missouri
- Dr. Peregrine Kibuuka, lecturer Nkumba University and former Headmaster
Writers
- Austin Bukenya, author, playwright and literary scholar
- Augustine Omare-Okurut, poet
Other
- Nicholas Okwir, managing director, Housing Finance BankHousing Finance BankHousing Finance Bank is a commercial bank in Uganda. It is one of the commercial banks licensed by Bank of Uganda, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
- Frank Sseguya Matovu, first president of the Ugandan North American Medical Society (UNAMS), 1998–2002; UNAMS Board member, 2002–2014
- Aloysius Katabalwa Matovu, lieutenant colonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
and former chief of logistics in the Uganda People's Defense Force - Joseph Etima, former commissioner general, Uganda Prisons
- John Worst Kimbowa, president/CEO MedNet Uganda Limited
- Allan Ssekamatte, sports telecaster and social commentator
- Gawaya Tegulle, columnist, The MonitorThe Monitor (Uganda)The Daily Monitor is Uganda’s leading independent daily newspaper. The "Monitor" name is shared by the Saturday Monitor and Sunday Monitor, which are also published by Monitor Publications Limited. It has an online readership of over 1,000,000.The newspaper was established in 1992 as The Monitor...
- Joseph Kabuleta, sports writer
- Alan Kasujja, radio personality
- Kelvin Kizito Kiyingi, financial writer, The MonitorThe Monitor (Uganda)The Daily Monitor is Uganda’s leading independent daily newspaper. The "Monitor" name is shared by the Saturday Monitor and Sunday Monitor, which are also published by Monitor Publications Limited. It has an online readership of over 1,000,000.The newspaper was established in 1992 as The Monitor...
- Robert "Shanks Gumaras, Shanks Vivie D" Baguma, musician
- Ronnie "DJ Mitch" Egwang, television, radio personality and events host
- Martin Sserugga, author
- Nicholas "DJ Messe" Mpiire, comedian, radio personality
- Isaac Malyamungu, former officer, Ugandan Army in the 1970s
- Charles "Mr.Ras" Onen, cartoonist, The New Vision
- Charles Musisi, Internet pioneer, IT guru and managing director of Computer Frontiers
- Apollo Makubuya, lawyerLawyerA lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and attorney generalAttorney GeneralIn most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
of the Buganda Government