The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Nakaseke, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | 21 primary school headteachers in Nakaseke district have been suspended for forging academic papers to obtain promotions.
The headteachers served as caretakers in Universal Primary Education Schools when the district asked for their academic papers for confirmation as substantive staff. They allegedly forged and submitted forged academic papers to gain promotion.
The headteachers presented academic transcripts for Bachelor of Arts and Education which they claimed to have obtained from Makerere, Kampala International University, Kyambogo and Kampala University.
However, a whistleblower alerted the office of Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Nakalungi, who forwarded the files of the accused headteachers to the Inspectorate of Government for further investigation.
The Inspectorate concluded investigations where it confirmed the headteachers forged the transcripts and remanded that they be dismissed from the Service.
Some headteachers reportedly admitted before IG officers that their transcripts were forged at Nasser Road, the hub of stationery in Kampala City.
The Nakaseke Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Nakalungi said her office has since suspended the accused headteachers for one month pending guidance from the Solicitor General on the way forward on the cases.
“ I can confirm to you that the headteachers are right now on suspension for one month. I wrote to the Solicitor General seeking guidance on how to proceed with the cases and I expect the feedback today before a final decision is taken,’’ Nakalungi said.
Ignatius Koomu the LCV Chairman of Nakaseke district said the accusations against headteachers as unfortunate and may worsen staffing gaps if they are dismissed.
It is reported that there is confusion that although the headteachers forged to gain promotion, some went ahead to pursue further education and acquired genuine papers.
The district is also seeking guidance on whether the headteachers can revert to classroom teachers since before they used genuine documents to gain employment as grade 3 teachers.
But earlier, Anne Twinomugisha Muhairwe, the Deputy Inspector General of Government ordered the Chief Administrative Officer to submit the Headteachers to the District Service Commission for dismissal from service for uttering forged academic documents which is tantamount to misconduct under section (F-R) and 5(N) of the Public Service Standing Orders.
She also added that uttering false documents constitutes an offence under section 351 of the Penal Code Act cap 120 and the CAO should forward the headteachers to Nakaseke District Police Commander to face criminal charges.
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