Day

By Elly Karenzi

Mrs Jane Tumusiimirwa, a woman who showed the seeds and fruits of unity at Kibubura Girls Secondary School.

Most people, parents and leaders who know Kibubura Girls Senior Secondary School in Ibanda district always remember Mrs. Jane Kateebariirwe Tumusiimirwa as a lady who showed the seeds of love and unity and progress in school community.

Kibubura Girls Secondary School is one of the key among the recommendations as a traditional giant schools in Ibanda district and the country.

It was a government aided school in Uganda under the Anglican church founded in Uganda. Its mission was equipping a Girl Child with quality education towards holistic development.

Mrs. Jane Tumusiimirwa said that in 1980, Kibubura Girls’ primary school and Ibanda Boys primary school paved way to the present Kibubura Girl’s Senior Secondary School which was founded and named on 15th June 1981.

The function was led by then the Minister of Education and Sports Prof. Isaac Newton Ojok.

It was designated as the first senior secondary school for girls in Ibanda district at a time when the Girl’ education was a preserve in Uganda for a few only.

In 1981 when the school started, the number of pioneer students in senior one was 80 in number.

The first school chairperson of the Board of Governors was the Bishop Rt. Rev. Amos Betungura then the Bishop of East Ankole Diocese in Mbarara from 1981 to 1992 and the first Head Mistress was Ms. Patience Bishaka.

In 1982, Mrs Jane Tumusiimirwa who had completed her studies from Makerere University with BA and Diploma in Education was posted to Kibubura Girls’ Secondary School as a Deputy Head mistress by the Ministry of education and Sports a job she accepted and enjoyed so much.

The Anglican Church which was the foundation body of the school and had developed confidence in her despite her young age, she was recommended to be appointed as full Headmistress because the school then had few students and it needed a hardworking person to run it.

She accepted the offer as a full headmistress, a job she held for 20 years.

After serving for 20 years, Mrs Tumusiimirwa was transferred to Bweranyangi Girls’ Secondary School in Bushenyi district where she served for five years.

In 2008 she was transferred to Kyebambe Girls’ senior Secondary School in Fort Portal. She also headed Mpanga SS in Fort Portal

In 2012 she was granted a retirement letter and came back home in at Bubaare cell, Ibanda Municipality Council, Ibanda district.

By Ambrose Kweronda
In Ntungamo

Ntungamo district is on a high alert over the increased HIV/AIDS new infections compared to other districts under Mbarara cluster.

This was revealed by the Health Educator Ntungamo District and HIV/AIDS focal person Dr. Twesigye Nestelio in a meeting with Journalists within Ntungamo District held on 15th Feb 2023 at Trek Savannah Hotel in Ntungamo Municipality.

Districts under Mbarara cluster are Ntungamo, Isingiro, Rwampala, Mbarara and Mbarara city.

Giving updates on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment interventions in the District Dr. Twesigye said that they are focusing on mass testing in catabolized key populations like; Sex workers, Transgender, Intravenous drug users and Homosexuals living in Hot spot areas.

He further said that they have decided to meet journalists as the fourth arm of the government so as to use all media platforms to assist in disseminating information on privation measures against the spread of HIV/AIDS and also called upon for abstinence messages in schools.

Mr. Muhwezi Jerison a representative of the Organization for community empowerment (OCE) in Lyantonde District in partnership with National association for supporting people living with HIV/AIDS of Uganda said that their goal is foster the welfare for key populations on six Border Districts of Uganda and Rwanda by 1st June 2023.

Muhwezi said that they are aiming at increasing community awareness on structural barriers that promote discrimination of key populations in accessing Health services and increasing access to ART Services including PREP and PEP among Key populations.

New research as of 2021 Uganda HIV status stands at 5.4% with 1.4M people living with HIV/AIDS, 6.5% being Females and 3.9% males

Ntungamo District with a population of 550,000, 18,000 people are infected of which 4.8% are males and 6.3% Females and 15000 people are enrolled on medication the other 3000 people not yet identified