The newly elected president of Jinja College Old Boys Association (Jicoba), Dr Yunus Masaba, has called on all old boys of the school to participate in activities geared towards the celebrations of their Platinum Jubilee due on the 5th of August 2023.
Speaking after being sworn in to replace outgoing president Bernard Osenda on Saturday, Dr Masaba said all the old boys benefitted from the school and it is time to give back.
“A dawn of a new era is upon us. Let’s unite as OBs and grow our dear association. Thank you for entrusting me with the mandate,” Dr Masaba said.
He added that the leadership is all about service. “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.
He was elected during the Jicoba Annual General Meeting held at the school on Saturday. The school old boys were visiting the school for the first time since Covid-19 outbreak.
Others voted were Mr Oketi Robert as Vice President, Mercilus Opio Katandi as Secretary General and Fred Mugerwa as Communication Director. The Committee Members are Major Benard Mangeni Joshua Higenyi, Bernard Mbayo, Walusimbi Masagazi, Percy Mulamba, Sam Kimwanga and Mondo Eric.
The old boys were engaged in a series of activities, including 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 and sporting activities between OBs and current students.
During the handover, Mr Osenda said Jicoba provides an opportunity for networking and making connections and urged old boys to embrace it fully.
“It also helps in professional development and supporting alma mater by raising funds and enabling us to contribute our efforts and make a difference in the lives of current and future students. Social events for Alumni Associations help us to reconnect with former classmates and reminisce about their time at school and stay connected. Lastly, joining Jicoba helps create a sense of community among alumni and fostering a sense of pride and connection to the Alma mater,” he said.
He also proposed that the school makes it compulsory for all learners of candidate classes to subscribe to JICOBA in their last year by paying at least minimum of Shs10,000 before leaving the school.
“This will increase the Resource base of JICOBA and its capacity to deliver. 2. All OBs are requested to be committed and focused when it comes to supporting JICOBA /School projects like we have been requested to support the platinum signature project of raising a modern state of Art Library,” he said.
Mr Benon Kigenyi, the former president of Kiira College Butiiki Old Boys Association, welcomed Dr Masaba to the presidency of Jicoba.
“…I have always opined that alone excelling Butiki is a dark horse. In fact if BCM, JICO, JIPRA, and whatever schools get to work as hard as we do, the level of competition will rise to our advantage. We’d otherwise risk being mediocre performers if the only people to compete with are ourselves. I look forward to your Leadership and how we can compliment the efforts of revival. You are lucky to be at the helm when JICO is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee, keep the notes for Butiki,” he said.
The school head teacher, Mr Mathias Isabirye, thanked the old boys for visiting the school and working to improve its wellbeing.
“We also thank you for the different projects you have be carrying out especially refurbishing our dining hall. In a special way I invite all of you to your Platinum Jubilee Celebrations on the 5th of August 2023. We shall have medical outreach in the city and I therefore join my voice with the Chairperson organising committee to invite the college medics to spear head this, all cohort leaders should rally their class mates to turn up in large number this day is because of you,” he said.
“Our Platinum Jubilee Signature project is a modern state of the art Library I call upon us all to support the project. The proposed Chief guest will be the Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Annet Anita Among,” he added.