ST. MARY'S COLLEGE KISUBI OBs' INNOVATION IS A DREAM COME TRUE

For an Old boy of st. Mary's College Kisubi (SMACK), it is great news to see that OBs of the school can come in the news showing a re-birth of the school image. The school historically has been in the lead and others have followed. It is great to learn that S.6 Leavers could get involved in the invention of a robot to find bombs. In 1936 SMACK registered the 1st class of Cambridge School Certificate (CSC)s 3 year course then. August 19, 1956 when SMACK celebrated its Golden Jubilee (50 years) - Governor Cohen granted the Higher School Certificate (HSC) status to the College after the Executive Committee of St. Mary's Old Boys Association (SMOBA) discussed the matter when they had an appointment with him at a time when the Late J C Kiwanuka was the Association Chairman. In 1964, St. Mary's College Kisubi became a Sports power, unfortunately the same year, on November 14, 1964, victory brought tears to the school when students returning from a Buganda Senior Cup were mistaken for political agitators, hence came face to face with untimely death in a tragic accident which claimed 12 students , 12 miles along Entebbe Highway. The match had been between St. Mary's College Kisubi and St. Henry's College which had ended in a 2 - 1 victory for SMACK. The leadership of the White Brothers of Christian Instruction ended after 43 years in 1969. During their time, the school grew from strength to strength. It exhibited academic prowess and used to have a Lion's share of scholarships awarded by the Colonial Government. The White Brothers did not only concentrate on academics, they ventured into construction work, and the architectural wonders at the College are their brainchild. They spearheaded innovations, which saw the College emerge a Sports Power House. Students were trained in various skills, which among others included Cadet - ship, Boxing, Swimming, to mention a few. Brother Anthony Joseph Kyemwa was appointed the 1st African Headmaster of St. Mary's College Kisubi, ending the 43 year era of the White Brothers, he took office with the challenge to uphold the school standards. SMACK OBs INVENT A ROBOT TO FIND BOMBS (L-R) Alvin Kabwama, Nigel Kinyera and David Tusubira, who are in their Senior Six vacation, display the robot that can detect and disarm explosive material at Makerere University yesterday. PHOTO BY ABDU KIYAGA ------------------------------------------------------------------ 012 at 00:00 In Summary Three St. Mary’s College Kisubi students under guidance of Makerere University don manufacture device that can detect and defuse explosives. MAKERERE Necessity is the mother of innovation and this seems to have been the main motivator for an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (OED) device that Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design Art and Technology showcased at a press conference yesterday. The device with capability to detect and defuse explosives is the brainchild of three students about to join university. They are tutored by Mr Cosmas Mwikyirize, a lecturer at the engineering college. Mr Mwikyirize said the device, still a prototype for development of more effective systems to deal with the threat of terrorism and especially use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), the favourite of terrorists, “was developed from scratch.” It is the third in a series of other robot prototypes the college has made, including a chemical dispenser robot and an automatic scooter. “We built this robot from scratch, we did not have any blue print to look at,” Mr Mwikyirize said last evening. Initially unveiled for the communications awards, two weeks ago, the robot runs on 12 motors, censors, and a Central Processing Unit of the tetrix system. It uses Bluetooth for movement control and Wifi and Wimax for the video field to send signals. It stands on metallic beams also procured locally. Share This Story 143Share An outcome of the iLabs@MAK, project for promotion of innovations, the robot is remotely controlled on a computer to navigate through relatively flat surfaces within a 20 meters radius. It’s most important advantage is that it minimizes the risk of officers involved in counter-terrorism missions. “The design and construction of the robot was motivated by the need to demonstrate local capacity in the development of technology in the fight against terrorism,” college spokesperson Betty Kyakuwa told journalists at the Vice Chancellors monthly press briefing yesterday. Brains behind project Former St Mary’s College, Kisubi students, Alvin Kabwama, David Tusubira and Nigel Kinyera manufactured the prototype. Last year, Makerere’s engineering college unveiled an electronic system for the electronic car Kiira EV automobile more recently announced the founding of the Winsenga device for antenatal investigations. Vice Chancellor Venansius Baryamureeb said it was a great achievement for the university and country. However, Ms Kyakuwa said the public should not be excited by the machine because in its current state, it is not useful to the country but only to show that such innovations are possible. “In its present state, it cannot go out to be experimented but only a proof and an inspiration to young people to work harder and realise that there is no limit to their imagination. However, she said the university needed more funding or security partners to advance the robot innovation. akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com