The Past

In the early 1960s, students at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) engaged in a project that they called “Operation Uganda,” which aimed to collect books and educational materials to send to Uganda on the occasion of its independence from colonial rule. The students collected tens of thousands of books, along with desks, equipment, and other items, but were disappointed when it became clear that only a fraction of the items would make it to Uganda. They also hoped to send several graduates to teach in Ugandan secondary schools, and one student did end up teaching in Kampala. The college hosted a huge celebration on October 9, 1962, in recognition of Uganda's independence. That event was attended by numerous dignitaries, including ambassadors from fifteen African countries, over twenty Ugandan students pursuing degrees at various other colleges and universities in the United States, the Governor, and six members of the United States Congress.