Kisoro Vision Director breaks silence on viral video

The student assaulted by the gatekeeper in the viral video attempted to go out of school without permission, Kisoro Vision Secondary School director, Munyambabazi Dan Deric tells www.vomuhabura.com.

Kisoro Police on Sunday, 20^th October, 2024 arrested and detained a 28-year-old Agu Saddam, a gatekeeper at Kisoro Vision Secondary School, after a video of the incident in which he assaulted the girl went viral on social media, sparking widespread condemnation from netizens and local residents.

In the phone-recorded video, the Saddam is seen slapping and kicking the student as she shields her face.

The arrest followed orders from Kisoro’s Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Robert Tukamuhabwa who expressed deep concern over his actions.

He also ordered the arrest of the school head teacher, Hakizumwami Buker, for allegedly obstructing investigations into harassment allegations at the learning institution. Buker was later released on police bond.

But according to Munyambabazi Dan Deric, the female student, Asiimwe Blessed, was leaving school premises without authorization.

“It’s true the gatekeeper made a grave mistake, but the student was also not right, only that she was mistreated. She went through the gate but when the gatekeeper asked for the permission chit, she didn’t cooperate but instead run out.” He told our reporter.

According to Munyambabazi, the incident happened at around 5pm. He faults the student for insisting to go out of school despite the harsh treatment from the gatekeeper.

“There was already a boda boda cyclist waiting for her, but the gatekeeper ran after her and brought her back to school despite her defiance. He forced her back to school, but she was resisting and insisting to go away. It was at 5pm, and we actually don’t allow learners to go out by that time.”

According to Munyambabazi, allegations that the gatekeeper would assault parents are new to him.

“I have just heard about that. But some learners can exaggerate it because they used to have unknown people bring them food from unknown sources and we banned that. When this gatekeeper came here, we stopped that practice and demanded that parents present their identification upon visiting their children.”

The director says that currently, visitors can only be allowed through the school administration upon identification.

Other sources speak out

A source, quoting the victim and school staff, allege that the student had been ‘chased away from school because of defaulting on school fees.’

It is said that without having paid school fees, the victim could not obtain a ‘meal card’ and thus missed meals.

“So, when she missed meals, her parents promised to send money for school fees on ‘a cente agent’ who is inside the school. On that day, she had missed meals and she told the administration that her parents would send the money.”

“However, the administration insisted that she stays out (of school) until she brings the money and clears school fees, or enters with a receipt.” Narrated the source.

“When she went out, that’s when the gatekeeper started assaulting her, asking to return to school.” The source explained.

Voice of Muhabura has however not yet spoken to the victim for her own account of the story.

Sexual harassment allegations

When the security team visited the school on Sunday afternoon, students made grave allegations against some teachers.

Led by the deputy RDC, the team randomly offered small papers to students to secretly point out any forms of harassment meted to them by school administrators and staff.

Among the accused teachers were Natweta Bossa, Nsenga George and Muhindo Wycliffe. These were accused of sexual harassment, assault and torture.

But Munyambabazi dismissed the allegations as untrue, blaming it on undisciplined boarding students.

“These are staff members charged with ensuring that all students go for preps every evening between 7pm to 10pm. However, some female students tend to hide in dark corners with their male counterparts. These teachers move around with torches to fight such tendencies. It must be stubborn individual students that made such allegations.”

Kisoro District Police Commander, SP Ben Nuwamanya told www.vomuhabura.com that investigations are still ongoing.

SP Nuwamanya said the gatekeeper, Agu Saddam, who hails from Yumbe district was still being held over charges he did not reveal.