SMACK To Name Classroom Block After Dr Ssemogerere

St Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK) plans to name a new classroom block after Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere. This plan was confirmed through a communication from the school to the Ssemogerere family that Ugandan Exclusive got hold of.

The communication dated May 31 confirmed a decision by the school’s Board of Governors meeting on 13^th April to honour the former Democratic Party leader.

Addressed to Ssemogerere’s widow, Prof Germina Ssemogerere, the headteacher, Brother Simon Mpanga’s letter requests the family’s consent for the school to continue with the program.

I am writing to inform you and request for your consent, and that of the family. In case of consent, the naming ceremony will be held on 23 August 2024.

Brother Simon Mpanga, Headteacher SMACK.

Additionally, the entire Ssemogerere family has been invited to visit the school should they consent to the request. The purpose of the visit is to tour the classroom block before the naming ceremony.

Ssemogerere’s Profile

Born in February 1932, Ssemogerere attended numerous schools including St Mary’s College before enrolling at Makerere College, then the University College of East Africa, when it was still an affiliate of the University of London. This set a platform for his academic profile, including obtaining a PhD in Public Administration from Syracuse University, New York in 1979.

After the fall of Idi Amin in 1979, he became DP’s President General. He would then lead the Democratic Party in the 1980 elections and many believed he was robbed of his victory. However, being the statesman he was, Ssemwogerere chose not to join the armed rebellions against Dr Appolo Milton Pbote’s government but led the opposition in parliament.

After the fall of the Obote government in 1985, he served as a minister in the subsequent Tito Okello and Yoweri Museveni governments. He would then challenge incumbent Yoweri Museveni in the 1996 election that the former Bush war leader won.

Ssemogerere retired from active politics in 2005 before passing in 2022 at 90.

According to SMACK, naming a classroom block after Ssemogerere will inspire current and future students to follow in the stateman’s footsteps.