The Academia, Clergy, Business, Corporate, and political society in Masaka sub region and beyond on Wednesday, 25th October 26, 2023 converged at Kaddugala Village in Butende Catholic Parish Masaka to witness the ribbon-cutting ceremony of one of Masaka’s best modern school, St. Mary’s Junior School Kaddugala.
The school owned by former Masaka District Woman Member of Parliament Owek. Hon. Babirye Mary Kabanda was commissioned by the Archbishop of Kampala His Grace Paul Ssemogerere who was also the main celebrant
Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere in his homily, praised Hon. Babirye Kabanda for her golden heart and tremendous support towards the Academic society in Uganda.
“Hon. Babirye has built a number of schools in Uganda by donating fully furnished classroom blocks and dormitories, providing scholastic materials to needy children etc…the Catholic church needs more people like Hon. Babirye Kabanda who has supported the education department by building schools with a strong religious foundation,” the Archbishop said.
Archbishop Ssemogerere also commended supporting partners for liaising with Babirye Kabanda Development Foundation which has always received and used Aid to develop this country.
Owek. Hon. Mary Babirye Kabanda, who also doubles as the director St. Jude SSS Kyabakuza Masaka thanked the Almighty God for enabling her effort to support vulnerable children in Uganda by offering them Education sponsorships and scholarships at all levels
“I already have a secondary school, St Jude SSS Masaka with a total population of 1300 students were over 400 students are sponsored with bursaries. I offer them free education because most of them are needy, poor orphans and neglected children. I have built St. Mary’s Junior School in memory of my late Mother and it will also be a monumental school to recognise my love for needy children.” Hon Babirye Kabanda said
She emphasized that both St. Mary’s Junior school Masaka and St Jude Secondary School Masaka must keep on helping the needy and neglected children during her life and death and ordered the schools management committees never to scrap off the bursary scheme system for the needy and poor orphans in her two schools.
“I have helped over 30 Medical Doctors, over 80 Nurses, over 15 Priests, over40 teachers, over 40 lawyers, over 60 business students, very many Engineers, and many other professionals in different fields. Presently, I have 25 seminarians, 8 nurses and 150 pupils in primary school. The above success story has forced me to extend my helping hand to the young needy children because I realised that if a young child misses an opportunity to go school, he or she is totally wasted,” Hon Babirye added.
Pokino Jude Muleke, who was also a special guest at the inaugural ceremony called on the Central government not to levy huge sums of taxes from private schools because they contribute a bigger percentage to the country’s education system.
ABOUT ST MARY’S JUNIOR SCHOOL
In the year 2020, a foundation stone of the school was laid by now the incumbent Member of Parliament for Bukoto Central constituency Hon. Eng. Richard Sebamala and the construction of the buildings started.
The school was registered and licensed by the ministry of Education and sports and later UNEB availed it with a center number which will have its pioneer candidates for PLE this year 2023.
St. Mary’s Junior school Masaka is also a Catholic founded school which embrace all religious denominations to provide space for children’s spiritual growth. It’s a sanctuary where the unique light in every child is noticed, nurtured and amplified from primary one with extensive knowledge in computer technology, and an environment where every child feel equally valued and cherished.
The School Director Hon Babirye Mary Kabanda started paying school fees to needy children during her first year at Makerere University in 1995. When the number grew up, she decided to start a school which she named St. Jude SSS Masaka. When she realised the need to help young needy children, she decided to open St. Mary’s Junior school.
“The two schools are not for needy children but they help me to educate the needy children. What I would have got as profits is sacrificed to educate the needy children. I decided to extend my love to the needy, orphans and neglected children by giving them quality education since I realised that a society with equal opportunities, competition is the driver for innovation and progress and without this, the marginalized remain exclude and trapped in poverty.” Hon. Babirye Kabanda stated.
ABOUT OWEK. HON. BABIRYE MARY KABANDA
Babirye Mary Kabanda was born on 23 November 1971. She is an Economist, Politician, Teacher and Philanthropist. She was a member of the 10th parliament as the Masaka district MP.
In her early life, Babirye Mary Kabanda went to St Joseph Bikira Girls school in 1985 for her Primary Living Exams, St Edward SS Bukuumi for her Uganda Certificate of Education in 1989, St Aloysius SS Bwanda for her Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in 1992.
She went to Makerere University for her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics in 1995, postgraduate Degree in Education 1996 and Uganda Martyrs University for her Advanced Diploma in Advanced Education Management in 2001, Bachelor’s degree in Microfinance and Community Development in 2010 and Master’s degree in Arts in Local Governance and Human Rights in 2016.
Babirye Kabanda is a teacher by profession, was a Head teacher at St Joseph SS Kigando, Kiboga from 1995 to 1998, St Peters SS Busubizi Mityana from 1998 to 2000, Blessed sacrament SS Kimanya Masaka from 2000 to 2013, Director at St Jude SS Masaka from 2013 to date and now she is the Director St. Mary’s Junior School Masaka.
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By Maurice Peter Matovu and Nsubuga Robert
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