By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
Some experts in development have said that the roles played by old students associations in many development across the country will go a long in improving livelihoods.
The Alumni community of Bubangizi Secondary School in Mitooma district, (2014 A’level class) are a section of the people adopting to this notion
The alumni met today in a meeting that took place at various points in regions where these old students live and work to share development ideas today July 24.
Old students living and working in Kampala and Metropolitan areas have met at Patron Club Kasubi, old students in Mbarara, Isingiro, Ibanda, Ntungamo, Kiruhura, Kazo, Rwampara, Fort Portal City (Mbarara) met at Comfort Inn along Rugazi road in Mbarara City while those living and working in the greater Bushenyi, Rukungiri and Kasese districts met at White House, Rutookye Town Counc in Mitooma district.
In his address at the maiden meeting, the Chairman of the Alumni Association of Kampala bureau, Zibair Ainebyoona revealed the mobilizing the 2014 class alumni was an ideation of Mr. Akakiimpa Cyrus, a serving officer in the national army as a way of establishing an association which will establish development projects through saving and investments to improve individual livelihoods.
He emphasised that old students have an important role to play in the socioeconomic development of society.
He stressed the need for old students to pull resources together and work as complimentary partners for a meaningful association.
“We need to be extra careful and operate with high level of of transparency,” he said.
Accountant Davis Mugisha, says associations are essential for social capital building and human development
“This is just to keep us in touch knowing one another and develop each other because its the social capital that we need in order to grow much financial capital. That’s why I also submitted this.” Mugisha said
Wycliffe Tumwijukye, also a businessman in Kampala and the host of the Kampala occasion siad he has hope and confidence in the association asking other old students who have not yet joined to adopt to the idea.
“Today, we find ourselves living in the difficulty situations, without any associations that promises nothing but development,” he urged
Dr. Arinaitwe Ambrose, the occasion chairman of the Mbarara bureau said many people have expressed interests in joining the association.
“However much people didn’t attend in big numbers given the nature of their jobs, the ones we have tried to communicate to are surely interested in joining the association,” he explained
“If we can continue to mobilise people, this association will surely have to develop.”
Milly Kayesu Amutuhaire and Primah Kyobutungi have asked the Old Girls of the 2014 class to join the association noting that this will promote women financial inclusions critical in society development and women economic empowerment.
The association has over 30 subscribed members and targets to register at least 100 members. Eligibility of the association membership are old students who were admitted to Bubangizi SSS between Academic Year 2013/2014 for only A’level. This means that anyone that was in HSC at the school during that time whether one did their UACE at Bubangizi or dropped out to another school are eligible to join.
Activities of the association will include among others saving, and investments. Another fund has been according to the mobilising team set aside for bereavement and other emergency issues. The association will be launched at a date yet to be communicated.
