Zombo: Headteacher Thrown Out of School Over Alleged Corruption, Mismanagement of UPE Funds

By Mike Rwothomio and Ofoymungu Lee

Zombo, Uganda - Hundreds of pupils in Padea Town Council, Zombo District were left without classes when irate parents took matters into their own hands, ousting the headteacher of Padea Primary School over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of Universal Primary Education (UPE) funds.

This dramatic incident unfolded in the early hours of September 18, 2023, during a meeting organized by parents, stakeholders, political leaders, and a handful of teachers at the school.

Protest Messages on Display

Following the meeting, angry parents affixed placards with strongly worded protest messages to the school's wooden gate, expressing their dissatisfaction with the school's headteacher. Some of these placards bore messages like 'We want our children to get a better education for their future' and 'We don’t want corrupt leaders in Padea,' among others. They sealed the headteacher’s office with three brown padlocks.

Accusations and Dissatisfaction

Orwinyu Vincent, a parent and chairperson of older persons in Padea Town Council, accused the headteacher of failing to account for school funds and urged district authorities to intervene and transfer him elsewhere. "As elders, we can’t just sit and watch as our school goes down. He doesn't give accountability and is very incompetent. We don't want him here in Padea," Orwinyu stated.

Fathuma Ubima, the female Youth Councillor for Ndindu Ward, pointed out the headteacher's failure to issue receipts for payments made, raising concerns about accountability. "They used to give us receipts for each payment made, but lately, the school doesn't provide receipts. What sort of administration is this?" she wondered.

Innocent Okello, a concerned parent and former school leader, expressed dismay over the school's lack of cleanliness, attributing this to the headteacher and his deputy's neglect of basic maintenance.

Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Voice Concerns

The Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) of the school highlighted that the headteacher and his deputy had excluded them from all school activities, further fueling dissatisfaction.

Headteacher Responds

The accused headteacher, Walter Onim, who had been in his position for only one year, refuted some of the allegations and appealed to parents to reopen the school offices so that teachers could resume lessons while investigations continued. "As we find a possible solution to the problem here, I plead that we open the office for teachers to continue teaching. We need to allow pupils to learn, my dear parents," Onim said.

Local Leaders' Statements

Local leaders expressed concern over the disruption of classes and urged swift resolution. District councillor Douglas Rupiny called for the district education committee to find a solution. The LC3 chairperson of Padea Town Council, Melki Onyutha Orwothuwun, revealed the meeting's resolution: the headteacher and his deputy were to step aside as investigations proceeded, and they were to be transferred from the school.

Education Officer Condemns Parents' Actions

However, the District Education Officer, Nickolas Odeba, condemned the parents' actions, emphasizing that such disruptions harmed the students' education.

Padea Primary School, situated near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, serves as the only primary school in the new town council. Established in 1973, it currently has an enrollment of 1700 students, drawing pupils from neighboring areas, including parts of DR Congo.

As the investigation unfolds, the future of the school remains uncertain, with parents, leaders, and the accused headteacher at odds over its administration.