Outgoing Jinja Senior Secondary School head teacher Hope Diana Nyago has been lauded by the Rugby Fraternity in Uganda.
Nyago, earlier this year, confirmed that she will be joining politics and represent the people of Njeru Municipality in Parliament.
Nyago is also the Chairperson of Uganda Premier League side Busoga United FC.
This week, she was recognized by Kyadondo rugby club for her role in rugby development and partnership at the school.
Timothy Byaruhanga, the Patron of Jinja SSS rugby and Hippos RFC player and official, revealed that the school, through Nyago’s policies, started with three academic scholarship with three excelling rugby players a number that grew to 18 in the last academic year.
“We have seen growth in rugby from three scholarships seven years ago to 18,” Byaruhanga said. “Of the 18, about 13 were registered to play for Hippos RFC in the national league. More than 50 players who have benefitted from this project are actively playing for clubs including Hippos and Kyadondo in the topflight.”
The Vice chairman Kyadondo Rugby Club, Philip Kibiojana presented a plaque to Nyago and lauded her for the partnerships and support towards the sport at the school and beyond.
“On behalf of Kyadondo rugby club and all our partners, we want to appreciate Ms. Nyago for all she has done through our partnership with Jinja SSS. Very many rugby players have benefited through her policies which offered them scholarships that impacted not only them but also those around them.
“She supported many players who are coming up in Kyadondo and helped us build a great working relationship and partnership with Jinja SSS.”
Kibiojana also wished the lady success in the coming general elections, hoping that would help add the voice of sports activists.
“We wish her the best of luck as she contest for the Njeru Municipality seat because she has promised to continue lobbying for more support for sports industry. The industry sees great value in her and that’s why we wish her all the best because we know she will be of great value when she reaches there.”
Nyago in return thanked the rugby fraternity with special recognition to Hippos and Kyadondo clubs and the Uganda rugby Union for the moral and physical support.
“I am very happy that am going out at a time when I think this school is at its peak in as far games and sports is concerned. When I look back twelve years when I arrived, the level at which the school was in co-curricular activities was very wanting. We have managed to excel in many sporting activities but, today, I want to single out rugby; I am so excited about rugby because I had never watched it being played physically.
“I went to schools which the game could’ve been played but I don’t remember watching it. I came here when it wasn’t there but was later introduced during my stay here. And it wasn’t only introduced but we did very well in it. For the record, Jinja SSS has been able to break the ranks and represented the country at the East Africa Secondary School games for the last four consecutive years.
“I want to thank the rugby Union, Hippos RFC, Kyadondo and the whole rugby fraternity for the support and partnerships. Majority of our learners have been finding their way to competitive rugby through Hippos and Kyadondo. The rugby fraternity has been supportive availing bursaries, rugby equipment for the students to train and
also to the management.
“The school has been able to stabilize because of sports. This has also helped the students grow academically. I am leaving the school but am not abandoning sports, I will continue supporting this school and lobby more for sports in schools in
particular.”
Under her tenure, Jinja SSS broke the jinx to become the first upcountry team to win the National schools rugby title three consecutive times from 2016 and represented the country at the regional games.
The achievement also opened the way for the rugby 7s academy to start in Jinja early in the year.
