Kigezi College Butobere, also known as Siniya, saw a remarkable gathering of its alumni at the Prime Arena in Kawempe, Kampala, yesterday. The Grand Finale of the Siniya League Season One brought together hundreds of former students, united in their efforts to rejuvenate their alma mater.
The event featured thrilling football matches between teams representing different graduating years from the 1990s, with creative team names reflecting past school jargon. Teams like Emooyi, Solidarity, Enku, Abachwezi, Endosho, Esaano, Protons, Omubaani, Bowman, and Abebashuzi competed fiercely. Team Endosho emerged victorious, adding another trophy to their collection after previously winning the Siniya League Gala.
Talent Ainembabazi, the captain of Endosho FC, expressed his gratitude for the support and dedication that made their victory possible. “Winning the Siniya League Season One is a great milestone for us,” Ainembabazi said.
Mutungi Oscar Peter, chairperson of the Siniya League, highlighted the tournament’s six-month journey and its foundational goal of reconnecting Siniya Old Boys with the school. He announced that the league would become an annual event to foster unity and collaboration for the school’s improvement.
The celebration also served as a platform for appeals to the alumni to take active roles in revitalizing Kigezi College Butobere. Ian Mugisha Ronald, Kabale District Deputy Speaker and a Siniya alumnus, urged his peers to support the school by sending their children there or sponsoring a student. “We need to restore the large turnout the school once had,” Mugisha emphasized.
Counsel Elvis Twenda, hopeful Member of Parliament for Ndorwa County East and chairperson of the Siniya Alumni Forum SAF, called for continued participation in school activities, including Siniya Day and the Annual General Meetings. Twenda praised the league for uniting alumni and pledged to sponsor a team of young stars in the next season and also contributing UGX 500,000 towards the next season.
Moses Ntahobari Turyomurugyendo, Chairperson of the Board of Governors for Kigezi College Butobere, encouraged alumni to engage in various school activities. He shared updates on initiatives like the Siniya Academic Fund, which supports high-achieving students purposed at boosting the school’s enrollment and academic performance, and the Siniya SACCO, aimed at boosting alumni savings.
Kigezi College Butobere, established by the colonial government to provide quality education to bright boys in the Kigezi Region, was once an academic giant in Uganda. Despite its rich 60-year history, the school has faced a sharp decline in student enrollment, prompting alumni to step in and help restore its former glory.
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