The 50 Bushenyi people awarded for ‘what Greater Bushenyi is’.

By Chris Mugasha. 

As the people of Bushenyi celebrated 50years of its existence (1974 – 2024), over 50 people and institutions were recognized and awarded for theirunique, exceptional, outstanding, exemplary and impactful contribution to Bushenyi District since its inception. 

The awardees were carefully selected from different categories that included; education, religion and culture, political, agriculture, business and innovation, Finance and Cooperatives, Environment and Health. Other categories are; Civil service, Sports, Multiple achievers and the founding leaders/chairpersons of the newly created districts (curved out of Bushenyi.)

The awards committee that was put in place by the district leadership and leaders of Make Bushenyi Great Again (MBUGA) citizenry movement included;

• Bishop Emeritus Yona Katoneene – Chairman
• Fr. Vicent Birungi                                   – Co-Vice Chairman
• Haji Ziyimba                                             – Co-Vice Chairman
• Mrs. Beth Tumwine                                  – Secretary
• Mr. Sam Korutaro                                      – Member
• Mr. Janan Mubehamwe                          – Member
• Mrs Harriet Muheebwa                           – Member

The awards were handed over to the beneficiaries by the Minister of Internal Affairs Rtd. Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire who represented President Yoweri Museveni at the celebrations which took place on Friday at Bushenyi district main stadium. In attendance were the Inspector General of Government (IGG) Hon. Betty Kamya, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation Managing Director Dr. Eng Silver Mugisha, the Bushenyi district Chairman Jaffari Bassajjabalaba among others.

The awards;

 CATEGORY A: EDUCATION

1. Bishop Yoram Bamunoba:  As pioneer Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of West Ankole, he made a firm foundation for the diocese.He spearheaded the founding of many secondary schools. Bishop Bamunoba, made a firm foundation for the Diocese with various projects. For outstanding contribution in Education Development: Under his leadership, he pioneered in founding the first seven Diocesan secondary schools, of Kyeizooba, Masheruka,Ruyonza, Kitagata,Ruhinda, Rugarama, and Rubare which all opened on 24^th March, 1980. Many other secondary schools werealso started – evenly distributed in the seven counties of Bushenyi District. Almost every household in the original Bushenyi Disrtrict has had a member attend one of these schools. Girls’ schools. Girls’ schools were included, enabling girl child access to secondary education at a time when it was not fashionable.
2. Faith Beyaka:  She was the first African Head teacher of Bweranyangi Girls              ’ Secondary School and a role model of integrity, transparency, and exemplary leadership. She installed Christian values to all students and workers.
3. Yoramu Tibasiimwa: For his outstanding leadership in admiration secondary schools like, Ruyonza School, Muntuyera High School and Mbarara High School.  So, he is recognized for educational development. As headmaster of these prestigious schools in the region (Mbarara High School and Muntuyera High School) he trained many sons of Bushenyi. He was very deliberate in allowing Bushenyi students to access the schools and was always patient in allowing parents to pay school fees in installments or when the payments are received. Men of the prominent elite men of Bushenyi passed through his hands.
4. Amanya Mushega: As minister of Education, he led the reviewing and implementation of education policies and reforms in the country – national education transformation. Under his leadership as Minister of Education, the Education White Paper was developed and implemented. This transformed the education sector paving way for expansion of universities beyond Makerere, allowing private schemes at university, liberalizing education sector to allow investment in schools, starting free government education scheme for primary and secondary, and here at home bringing the Primary Teachers college at Ruyonza. As a son of Bushenyi, he remains the outstanding impactful minister of education since independence. 
5. Kezekia Biryabarema: He started and spearheaded many primary and secondary schools, as well as Teacher Training Colleges in Bushenyi.

CATEGORY B: POLITICAL

• Yowasi Makaaru: Outstanding leadership as LC V and spearheading the building of the district headquarters
• Peter Rwakifaari: 1^st Speaker of Greater Bushenyi District
• Ezra Kikuri: A very influential and respected politician in Bushenyi who promoted unity and peace in the district. He was a voice for the people of Bushenyi. He is known for establishing political stability in Bushenyi. The current unfortunate divisions came after him.  He had the ear of the President. He was a very honest man.
• Adonia Tiberondwa: Prominent academic and politician. Educationist. Professor of Education.
• Edward Rurangaranga: Politician remembered especially for fighting for the only government hospital in Greater Bushenyi, Kitagata Hospital.
• Jomo Kindyomunda:  Was a Vice Chair Person of Bushenyi before Ntungamo became a district. He was very influential in the politics of the then Greater Bushenyi. He was among those the political leaders being viewed as strong candidate for the 1^st Chairperson of the new District of Bushenyi when it was being created.    He is a man of integrity and a pillar of the church
• Mungonya: He donated land for Mungonya SS and spearheaded the education of many people.
• Scola Ntaama: First lady in Greater Bushenyi to be named as Presidential assistant, prominent politician and farmer in Bunyaruguru
• Elfunsi Bamuyaaga – First LC5 vice Chairperson of the former Greater Bushenyi.
• Eliaza Muhoomya: Was a voice of the people of Bunyaruguru, Ruburizi District. Was a Parish chief.  He was devout Christian  and  a synod member of the Diocese of West Ankole during the Bishopric of the founding Bishop of West Ankole, now Emeritus Bishop of West Ankole. Started many schools, especially Church of Uganda founded schools. He settled many immigrants in Katerera.
• Longino Ishanga Ndyanabo: Former Greater Bushenyi Chairperson.
• Willis Bashaasha: Former Bushenyi District Chairperson.
• Rtd.Major General KahindaOtafiire: Bush war Hero from Bushenyi region.
• Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere: Former MP, Minister and played a key role in Moshi Unity conference.

CATEGORY C: AGRICULTURE   – 

• Elly Kekurutso: Pioneered rearing of exotic cows in Bushenyi
• Yoram Batuna: Promoted the growing of tea in Bushenyi

CATEGORY D: BUSINESS AND INNOVATION

• Eliab Muhoozi:  For his innovativeness on adding value to Dairy products is an outstanding and exemplary undertaking for Bushenyi.
•  Idd Basajabalaba, did not have much formal education, but started a school now known as Basajabalaba Primary School in Ishaka. He was a very successful business man in Hides and skins. His son, Hassan Basajabalaba, Continued the business in Hides and Skins.

CATEGORY E: FINANCE AND COOPERATIVES

• Kesi Kabakyenga; He is remembered as the father of cooperatives, he promoted the planting of coffee and building coffee factories.
• MUSHANGA SACCO
• Kyamuhunga People’s SACCO (KYAPS)
• MUHAME Financial Services
• JUBILEE SACCO-West Ankole Diocese
• BUTUURO Financial Services
• GREATER BUSHENY TEACHERS SACCO.

CATEGORY F: ENVIRONMENT

• Samson Nyine Bitahwa: Promoted environmental preservation and conservation as well as herbal medicine. He was a founder member, CEO, ‘Earth Technology Rukararwe Ltd’ (ETR) in Uganda. Training rural masons in the use of earth brick technology, the building of classrooms, etc. He created the community-based organization, Rukararwe Partnership Workshop for Rural Development, after spending time in Germany. He was an Environmental activist widely known for his massive tree planting campaigns and traditional healing systems. By the time of his death, he was Ugandan Ambassador to Germany. Deep appreciation to Mr. Chris Mugasha and Mr. Johnson Bitarabeho, for continuing Bitahwa’s legacy till today.

CATEGORY G: HEALTH

• Yorokamu Rukungana: Remembered for long service at Bushenyi Health Centre.  He was popular known Rwanyamukunga, his service to all at Bushenyi Health Centre knew no bounds. This was a household name till today. His commitment, selflessness, patient orientation and honesty endeared him to his patients. His services reduced maternal and infant mortality. People came from as far as Nyabushozi to be treated by him.
•  Ishaka Adventist Hospital.
• Comboni Hospital.
• Kampala International University Teaching   Hospital.

CATEGORY H: RELIGION AND CULTURE

• Archbishop Bakyenga: An influential pastor and great preacher who carried the flag of Bushenyi and Ankole nationwide and internationally.
• Sheikh Abdulnoor Kaduyu. An influential Muslim leader in Bushenyi and beyond. The 1^stMunyankole to be jordained Sheikh in Ankole and Kigezi. He translated Quaran into Runyankole/Rukiga
• Mubangizi Benedicto: He was a great musician who composed and produced numerous songs, poems, proverbs, novels and other literally works in Runyankole and other languages. He wrote the Runyankole/Rukiga grammar in his books, Kanyarurimi I and II.
• Eliazari Bampaire, spearheaded traditional music, dance and drama in Bushenyi.

CATEGORY I: CIVIL SERVICE

• Johnson Bitarabeho: 1^st Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Greater Bushenyi
• Hon. Bart Katureebe: Represented Bunyaruguru in Parliament and went on to become Minister, Attorney General and CHIEF JUSTICE of Uganda. He was number 3 in the national hierarchy after the President, Vice President, then Chief Justice and Speaker of Parliament.

CATEGORY J:  SPORTS

• Soyabean Mbwijana.
• YowasiKagumire

SPECIAL CATEGORY K: MULTIPLE ACHIEVERS

• Hassan Basajjabalaba: An economic powerhouse with interests in trade, education by building the first university in Bushenyi, health, in building KIU-Teaching Hospital, Agriculture in building tea factories, trade in Hides and Skins and other businesses. He is recognized for education development:  KIU has been transformative. It has not only improved higher education access but also created employment and market for a sizeable population in Bushenyi. 

• William Mukaira: Prominent farmer and pioneer in rearing exotic cows. Pioneered private secondary education (Valley College). Promotes grape farming and wine production (Vine factory).Influential politician and hotelier.  He is recognized for Education Development: He pioneered establishment of private secondary school (Valley College) which has graduated it to a university focusing on science and ktechnology (Valley University of Science& Technology). Value addition, innovation and science offer the future for Bushenyi.  Educationist. Minister of education in Ankole.
• Fr. Paolino Tomaino: He built many churches, three secondary schools and a technical school. He built Comboni Hospital and supported in developing many primary schools. He started Kyamuhunga People’s Sacco, one of the biggest Sacco in the country. 

CATEGORY L:  FOUNDING LEADERS/ CHAIRPERSONS.

• Bushenyi – Keny.
• Buhweju – Sebastian Kereere.
• Mitooma – Benon Karyaija.
• Ntungamo- Wycliff Karazarwe.
• Rubirizi –     David Kisembo
• Sheema –    Pastor Mugisha

CATELOGORY M:  WOMEN MEMBERS OF PARIAMENT OF GREATER BUSHENYI

• Hon. Esther Mugarura
•  Hon.  Bernadetee Kyomugisha Bigirwa
•   Hon. Canon Mary Okurut Karooro.

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