On July 15, 2023, all roads lead to Jinja College as the 75-year-old institution hosts old students for the popular home coming event.
The school, named after St Joseph, has not hosted since the outbreak of Covid-19. Last year’s event was cancelled at the last minute due to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.
This has left the old students more yearning for the visit to their alma mater. After several outings this year and successful completion of season one of Jico League, more old students are looking forward to the home coming like never before.
The event brings together all old students from all walks of life.
The president of Jicoba, Mr. Osenda Benard, has promised to host the members to a fun-filled event involving holding meetings with the current students, meeting new friends, socialisation with OBs and giving back through participation in the proposed fundraising drive.
“There will be lots of interactions, making friends, inspirational talks from OBs and sporting activities,” among others,” he said.
Key on the agenda for the home coming is joint mass, college tour, the annual general meeting, mini-fundraising for Jicoba projects, elections and handover to the new team, provision of the school status report, recognitions, sporting activities between OBs and current students.
Mr. Osenda also highlighted the achievements achieved under his leadership.
“In our tenure, we have been able to achieve the following; we started on renovation of the dining hall and kitchen and we wish to complete it; the planned budget is about Shs7million to be raised,” he said.
The old students are also gearing up for the elections of a new leadership to drive the association forward.
But current president Osenda said he will not be seeking re-election.
“I don’t intend to seek for re-election because I have done my part I shall hand over to the new team,” he said.
Nevertheless, he urged the old students to embrace the leadership of the association.
“Leadership is more of sacrifice, making a contribution and passing over the baton, we have successfully served for our term. I pray we get a new team to continue with the work we started this will give new blood, energy to the association it will bring in new people, and new ideas plus new commitment, and areas of focus regarding,” the outgoing president said.
The Director of Communications in Jicoba, Mr Magumba Tom, said this year’s annual general meeting is special because it coincides with the college’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
“This means that the old boys have a chance to usher in fresh thinking on how Jicoba should evolve. So, I expect a contest of ideas and logic. We can’t afford time to lament about what has not happened. We must open new pages of progressive engagements,” Magumba said.
“Secondly, we all mean well for Jinja College. But there many uncontrolled and unstated assumptions about Jicoba. This is a chance to identify, challenge and question these underlying issues, experience the truth, change attitudes and the narrative. We must protect our brand with a unified voice,” he added.
On whether he is seeking re-election or going for bigger position, Mr Magumba said: “I am very proud of my contribution serving Jinja College since 2001 when I was voted Head Prefect. My only regret is not delivering on my core campaign promise “Piped porridge from the dining hall to Mulumba House and other dormitories”. Since then, I have served on every committee as a communication kingpin. I thank all the old boys for trusting me in this role.”
“Having said that, I believe that true progress lies not in enhancing what is, but advancing towards what will be. There many OBs that have better ideas. In the rings of true social change, we cannot run away from this reality. The “alma mater” on the 15th July must offer a compelling vision of the change that we want,” he added.
This website has learnt that Dr Yunus Masaba is the favourite candidate for the presidency of the association.
He said: “Given the mandate by the AGM, the students should expect a leadership that will help bridge the gap between the students and Alumni while emphasizing building of cultures and not just academic excellence. A leadership that will identify and fund projects that benefit the students and the school at large to create a legacy of the alumni,” he said.
“The OBs should expect a dawn of a new era that will offer inclusive, transparent and accountable leadership that shall be geared towards building solidarity amongst the alumni community of Jinja College across all the generations. A leadership that will raise the bar of the association to a house hold name that one will be proud to associate with. We believe that Jinja College is a strong brand and so should the Association emulate the same,” he said.
Dr Masaba added that as the school marks 75 years of existence, “it’s quite unfortunate that as JICOBA, we don’t have much to show for the milestone. Not much has been known about the association neither has it fostered solidarity among OBs across the generations.”
“We strongly believe that this is the time for a young a vibrant leadership with fresh ideas that shall elevate the status of not only the school but the Alumni across the continent and building a strong networks that work for OBs of JICO. We intend to spearhead projects of developments which are informed by the modern day needs of the school and inclusive decision making with all generations that have been through the college,” he explained.
Dr Masaba, is an Entrepreneur and philanthropist, founder and chairman of Mas Group Africa, a fast growing African business conglomerate with subsidiaries in real estate, construction, security, renewable energy, sports, leisure and hospitality.
He attended Jinja College from 2003 to 2006. While at Jico, he served as the assistant library prefect and was a resident of Lwanga House. During his time at the college, Masaba was involved in different sports but most notably he was one of the founding fathers of table tennis in the school and went ahead to be crowned the best table tennis player in Jico in 2005 and 2006. Mas is an enthusiast in sports and has always had a business acumen right from his time at the college.
Over the years, he has invested heavily in sports with one of Mas Group subsidiaries, Volta Sports Investments, which established Volta Arena Bukoto and Volta Arena Kyanja which currently hosts JICO League. Mas, as he is popularly known, is also CEO of TRACK24 which was the first sponsor and major sponsor of the JICO league.
Awarded Young Employer of the Year by the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) in 2014 and 2015, Mas has overseen the growth of Mas Group Africa subsidiaries that have gone on to win multiple awards in their respective sectors.
Notably, he is also serves on the Advisory Board of Africa Nxt Gen Economic Foundation a not for profit African organization which is a think tank to define the next frontiers of the African continent.