PROJECTS OF ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE OMBACHI OLD BOYS' ASSOCIATION (SJOCOBA)

SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND TALKS
In July 2003 the school in conjunction with SJOCOBA organised a stakeholders’ seminar, which was attended by representatives of: School Administrators, Teaching Staff, Parents, Students, and Old Boys. The seminar discussed the various causes of inadequate performance. It adopted key recommendations for action, including initiation of an award system for best performers among students and staff and increased collaboration for overall harmonious operation.

PROVISION OF COMPUTERS
In 2002, the SJOCOBA received 10-second hand usable computers as a donation from the World Computer Exchange, a US based firm that aims at providing ICT support to rural schools. The computers were repaired and installed with the basic software programmes, and delivered to the school. The school used the computers to start a computer laboratory, and embark on teaching students basic computer use. Since then the school has bought more computers and institutionalized computer classes in the curriculum. Teachers have been identified and offered more skills to handle the computer lessons.

ANNUAL GET-TOGETHER
In 2003 SJOCOBA decided to hold the first ever OBs’ get-together. The dinner dance was held at the Uganda Institute of Communication Technology in Nakawa, Kampala, on 05 December 2003, and attended by over 100 OBs, their spouses, friends and guests. The function was graced by H.E. James Baba (the then Uganda’s Ambassador to Japan), who launched the Library Restocking project [link]. It turned out a success beyond expectations, and as a result it was decided to hold such dinners annually.
The second dinner was held at Silver Springs Hotel, Bugolobi, Kampala, on 04 December 2004. It was graced by H.E. Maurizio Teucci (Ambassador of the Italy to Uganda) and Mr. Tom Buruku (Member of Electoral Commission and Chairman of Uganda Red Cross) among other guests.
The third dinner was held in Arua at the West Nile Club, on 31 December 2005. the colourful ceremony, that coincided with the New Year fireworks, was attended by, among others, Arua Diocese Vicar General Msgr Kasto Adeti, Arua District Chairperson Richard Andama Ferua, elders Lt. Col. Obitre Gama, Cyprian Ajiku and Dr. Andi, businessmen James Nyakuni and George Uzima.

LIBRARY RESTOCKING: ESSENTIAL BOOKS PROJECT
In 2003 the old boys under their umbrella organization SJOCOBA, decided to try and contribute towards raising the academic performance of the school by supporting it to procure essential books and other reference materials for stocking the library. SJOCOBA prepared a proposal for the project with inputs into the list of essential books by the staff. The total project budget was UGX 25 million, to be raised voluntarily from stakeholders and well wishers.
The first batch of books worth about UGX 4 million was delivered to Ombaci in July 2004. The inflow of funds has been fairly slow, and the next batch worth UGX 3.2 million was delivered in April 2006.

DATABANK OF OLD BOYS
Starting 2003 SJOCOBA created a database of Ombaci OBs. It is continuously updated as information becomes available. Please use the database, and send us any missing details on Ombaci OBs.