Written By |
Police officers dispersing parents from protesting
Search
Mitooma
Tension erupted at Ikimba Primary School in Katenga Sub-county, Mitooma District, when furious parents stormed the school and chased away the headteacher, Levi Tuhaisomwe, over allegations of mismanaging school funds and exhibiting poor leadership. The parents, carrying placards reading “Headteacher Levi, get out of our school,” “We are tired of you,” and “You must go,” accused Tuhaisomwe of presiding over the school’s decline in both academic performance and enrollment.
“He found our school performing well in the district with an enrollment of over 400 pupils, but in the four years he has been here, the number has dropped to about 120,” said Benard Kahingu, a parent.
Suspended: Levi Tuhaisomwe
Tuhaisomwe, who was found in his office, was reportedly dragged out by the angry parents but later rescued by officers from Katenga Police Post, who intervened before the situation escalated.
According to Kyokunda Nusiati, a parent at the school, the headteacher allegedly obtained a loan of UGX 5 million from a SACCO in the school’s name, purportedly to construct a latrine — without the knowledge or approval of the School Management Committee (SMC).
“He took a loan using the school’s name without our knowledge, yet we had already held a fundraiser for the same toilet project. The money collected during the fundraising is not reflected in the school’s financial books, and he has failed to account for it,” Kyokunda said.
Parents protesting against the school headteacher Levi Tuhaisomwe
During a heated meeting held at the school premises — attended by officials from the District Education Department and Mitooma Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Umar Muhanguzi — the District Inspector of Schools (DIS) Jane Tushabe suspended Tuhaisomwe with immediate effect and directed him to hand over office to his deputy.
“We have resolved to suspend the headteacher with immediate effect. Meanwhile, he will remain available to guide auditors during investigations into the allegations,” said Tushabe.
RDC Muhanguzi also ordered a comprehensive audit into the school’s financial transactions to verify the claims.
“I have instructed the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to conduct an audit because you cannot rent out staff houses and leave teachers struggling with accommodation,” he said.
Mitooma Deputy Resident Commissioner Umar Muhanguzi
However, Tuhaisomwe denied all allegations, insisting he had always acted in accordance with the School Management Committee’s guidance.
“These are false allegations meant to tarnish my name. I have been working under the direction of the committee,” he said.
Torch Media Africa
