On 18/12/2014 Minister for lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development , Professor Anna Tibaijuka(MP), said 1.62bn/- she received from Mr James Rugemalira was given as a donation to support Babro Johanson School. Prof Tibaijuka as the founding trustee who is also he main fundraiser of JOHA TRUST , she is tasked with among other duties, soliciting funds for the school, in doing so she approached a number of prominent local businesses to support the school. She said it is not the first time that prominent businessmen in the country have donated to the school, citing an example of another prominent businessman and IPP Chairman, Mr. Reginald Mengi, as having donated more than 200m/-
Mr and Mrs James Rugemalira were among those approached through a letter dated April 4th 2012 addressed to theirMabibo Beer Wine and Spirits Limited trading company. After nearly 2 years of waiting, Mr Rugemalira finally responded in February 2014
Mr Rugemalira agreed to donate the money on the condition that she opens an account at Mkombozi Bank since he had no time to make interbank transfers.The Founding Trustee opened the account at Mkombozi Bank on February 3rd, 2014. The school donation of US$ 1 million was credited into her account on behalf of the school on February 12th, 2014 from VIP.
On February 13th 2014, the school Board held an extraordinary meeting to receive a report on the generous donation from Mr. Rugemalira of VIP. The Board unanimously accepted the donation and decided that it should be spent on repaying the school loan at Bank M. The Founding Trustee was instructed to immediately transfer the donation from her account at Mkombozi Bank to Bank M so as to liquidate the loan
