His Majesty William Gabula Nadiope IV has praised Jinja Progressive Academy (JIPRA) for its enormous achievements in their 20 years of existence.
JIPRA is a renowned academic and sports not only in Busoga but nationally.
The Kyabazinga also commended the school’s administration headed by Haji Swaibu Kitezala for emphasizing holistic education beyond the school work.
The King made the remarks Friday as chief guest during the 20-year anniversary celebration of success of JIPRA since its inception at the school playground.
The function was attended by hundreds of parents and students of the school.
The Kyabazinga who arrived at about 1:00pm was welcomed by the school’s executive director Haji Kitezala Swaibu accompanied by the school’s Principal Nakayima Annet, teachers and students.
He was led to close a four day medical camp that was organised by some of the old boys and old Girls; and later commissioned the JIPRA tower.
In his speech, His Royal Highness Nadiope IV was exceedingly honoured to preside over the function that had been punctuated with great strides in both academics and Co-curricular activities.
“I would like to congratulate the stakeholders of this school more especially the board of governors for coming up with the great ideas in building the school to widen the knowledge base of our people,” the Kyabazinga said.
He added that “this initiative resonates well with our Kingdom’s anthem that lays emphasis on fighting ignorance.”
The Monarch appreciated the central government for allowing private institutions like JIPRA among others to be established in order to promote education among the people, especially the youth.
He thanked Haji Kitezala for providing bursaries to Busoga Kingdom for both O and A levels where the vulnerable students, poor young people and orphans who want to further their education are considered.
The Kyabazinga said that JIPRA is the current football giants not only in Jinja but in Busoga sub region adding that this justifies why professional footballers like Khalid Aucho and Kaddu are products of JIPRA.
As observed by Nelson Mandela that education is the most powerful weapon which can be used to change the world, the Kyabazinga thanked the board of governors, executive director Kitezala and his entire staff, old boys and girls; and the entire community for the job well done in the past two decades.
Busoga Kingdom’s Minister of Education, Nasabu Nantale, commended JIPRA for the bursaries it has so far given to Busoga Kingdom worth over sh600m
The executive director of JIPRA, Haji Swaibu Kitezala, said the school started in 2003 on Iganga road plot 2 in Jinja City then later to Gymkan building in 2006 and finally relocated to its current home at Wanje road plot 8-20 on Kamuli road village.
Kitezala said the school has consistently performed excellently with peak being in 2018 when it emerged best school in Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education and in the twenty years of existence, 13 students have so far scored maximum points.
He added that it is also one of the great sporting schools in Uganda after winning several trophies with the most recent being champions in prestigious boys football 2023, regional champions in the converted boys football and champions in Jinja district boys volleyball; and above all the regional champions volley ball 2023.
Present at the ceremony were; Jinja West MP Dr. Timothy Batuwa, Jinja City Woman MP Manjeri Kyebakutika, UTB chairman Daudi Migereko, Issabalangira of Busoga Samuel Nkuutu Zirabamuzale Menhya, Royal Chiefs and Ministers from Busoga Kingdom among others.
