Kabale school on the spot for detaining candidates over unpaid fees

Kabale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT  |  The management of Victorious Preparatory school in Kabale district is under fire from education authorities for detaining two primary seven candidates over unpaid fees. 

The school director Julius Arineitwe and head teacher, Justus Bataringaya and administrator, Godfrey Asasire reportedly detained Swaleh Junior Mayanja, 13, and Swahaba Selemba, 11, both sons of Swaleh Mayanja after the completion of their Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) last month for alleged to clear third term tuition worth Shillings 1.64 million.   

Flavia Ineema Nansubuga, an auntie to the two candidates says that Mayanja tasked her to take care of her nephews since he couldn’t travel with them Rwanda, where he works because of the COVID-19 restrictions. She explains that after the PLE, she waited for her nephews to return home, which a few kilometers from Kabale town in vain. According to Nansubuga, she decided to check with the school only to be told that the children had been detained because of unpaid tuition.   

She immediately contacted Mayanja, who explained to the school administrators that he was unable to transfer money because of the tension between the two countries. Nansubuga says that Mayanja pleaded with the school administration to release the children in vain. As a result, they decided to file a complaint with the police and Kabale district education department for help. 

On Monday evening, Muhammad Chewalyanga, the acting Kabale District Police Commander, Enock Hatangimana, the Kigezi Region Police Community Liaisons Officer, Moses Bwengye Tumwijukye, Kabale District Education Officer and Catherine Kyomugisha, the Kabale District Inspector of Schools stormed Victorious Preparatory school demanding an explanation why children were being detained after completing their PLE.    

Tumwijukye told our reporter that despite the fact that the parent owes the school; the administration lacks the mandate to detain innocent children. He says that they completed the school to release the children and handed them over to Nansubuga after making a written commitment ensuring that Mayanja pays the school dues.

Muhammad Chewalyanga, the acting Kabale District Police Commander says that it was unlawful for the school management to detain their children because it contravenes their rights. According to Chewalyanga, only the Uganda Police force has the legal mandates to detain people.   He however urges parents to explore avenues of settling such matters without exposing innocent children to such pain.  

The Headteacher, Justus Bataringaya insisted that there is no way the administration could release children without assurance from their parents about the unpaid fees.  He accused Mayanja of being an irresponsible parent, saying that they decided to hold the children following their previous experience with Mayanja when he failed to clear Shillings 5,100,200 for his daughter who completed at the school.

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