Some Anecdotes of Life at Nyakasura - Part 13

I am in my anecdotage now and could go on telling many tales of things that happened in the few short years I was privileged to be at Nyakasura. We made all our own uniforms. Who remembers the famous stocking machine? Who remembers the tree snakes and the boys who studied at night with lamps preparing for their exams, sometimes secretly beneath their bedclothes with the aid of small electric torches? Who remembers blocked drains that had to be emptied? Or Bishop Balya coming barefoot to take a service? Or Saturday morning visits to the hospital in Fort Portal? Or being motored in to the hospital to be dealt with at night because of some emergency? Who remembers the visit by the Governor, Sir Andrew Cohen, who, on being offered tea, replied, "I do not usually partake of farinaceous food at this hour!"

Ah well, they were good days shared by us all. Every one contributed. You remember the famous West African educationalist who said, "You can play a tune on white keys of a piano and you can play a tune on the black, but if you want to full harmony you must play both black and white together."

That is true, doubly so in the Nyakasura of my day when pupils came to the school from all over Uganda, and from all kids of homes and Uganda ethnic backgrounds. They all learned to work and play together and they as individuals and Uganda as a whole were the better for the experience. May the School live to enhance this harmony and to continue to set a good example of this kind for its recovery. The school will forever remain in my affections.

As remembered and written by Mr. E.C. Cooper, M.A., Headmaster, Between 1948 - 1954. Stay tuned for more Anecdotes of Life at Nyakasura!!