Kisoro police on Sunday evening detained the head teacher of Kisoro Vision Secondary School, Mr Hakizumwami Buker for allegedly obstructing investigations into harrassment allegations at the learning institution.
Mr Hakizumwmi was arrested at the orders of the Kisoro deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Robert Tukamuhebwa.
This followed a widely circulated video in which the school’s gatekeeper is seen assaulting a female student outside the main gate.
In the video, the gatekeeper, identified as Agu Saddam, is seen slapping and kicking a form six student, identified as Asiimwe Blessed.
The incident is said to have occurred on 18th October 2024, at an unspecified time.
When the footage broke the internet on Sunday afternoon, numerous social media users condemned the grave actions of the gatekeeper and the school’s failure to either act of report the culprit to authorities, calling for action from security.
A team of security officials led by Mr Tukamuhebwa visited the school to address the situation, which included addressing the learners and interrogating the school administration.
The 28-year-old gatekeeper, who hails from Yumbe district was arrested, before the officials gave papers to learners to secretly point out other similar violations at the school.
The students randomly accused teachers, student leaders and the gatekeeper of harassing them, with some alleging sexual abuse and assault from the school administrators.
Among the accused teachers were Natweta Bossa, a Physics and Mathematics teacher, Nsenga George and Muhindo Wycliffe.
While addressing the students’ assembly, the deputy RDC remarked that Kisoro Vision was famous for academic performance, but was becoming infamous for harassing learners.
“Academically, the school does wonders, but the rest has to do with administration and management of the school. It’s so unfortunate that our findings have shown that there is a lot of denial for children’s rights…there’s sexual exploitation, there’s beating, some students are closed inside toilets…the askari will never come back here in the near future,” said Tukamuhebwa.
He however blamed the headteacher, Hakizumwami Buker, for failing to aid in the investigations into the allegations against the school authorities. Tukamuhebwa said the headteacher ‘refused’ to provide access to the CCTV recordings at the school.
“As if these practices have been going on over and over, and the headteacher seems not to be in charge! We have to access the school cameras, get what we want and we leave you in peace. There’s no excuse of saying it is locked. Now we have picked the name of George, Wycliffe, (and) Bbosa…. those ones we are going with them,” he noted.
According to Tukamuhebwa, there were unconfirmed reports that student leaders wielded more powers, including whipping their fellow learners.
He also noted that there were allegations that on the reporting day, the gatekeeper would ‘harass and intimidate learners for sex or money.’
In one case, the gatekeeper allegedly assaulted a parent at the school premises.
When the headteacher failed to provide access to the CCTV camera, Tukamuhebwa ordered his detention at Kisoro CPS.
It is however said that he was briefly detained before being released on police bond in evening hours.
The school director, Munyambabazi Dan, who was by yesterday away in Kampala, regretted the incident, adding that they would cooperate with authorities to address the situation.
While addressing the learners, Kisoro OC CID Godliver Twinomugisha condemned the gate keeper’s action, adding that the matter will be handled accordingly.
“We cannot say that teachers should not discipline, the rules and regulations are there. They can dismiss, they can suspend, they can call the parent, but not this kind of punishment we have witnessed,” she noted.
On his part, the Kisoro District Internal Security Officer (DISO) Samson Kaberuka, urged students to focus on their academics, instead of being carried away by the situation at the school.
“As we move towards the end of the school calendar, what has happened, let it be isolated, continue with your studies. It is beyond you, it will be handled. We have some few days to end the term. Don’t use it to be undisciplined,” said Mr Kaberuka.
Meanwhile, Mugema Emmanuel, the Kisoro Municipal principal education officer, urged students to concentrate on their studies as security is hands the matter.
Similarly, the state minister for youth and children affairs, Mr Balaam Barugahara, on her X handle expressed concern over the maltreatment of the student, and commended Kisoro police and deputy RDC Kisoro for promptly acting.
Famous for its academic performance, Kisoro Vision SS is a private school that started in 2003.
It is located in Kamonyi village along Sebaganizi road, about 1km from Kisoro main town.
The private school was started by two brothers; Munyambabazi Dan Deric and Hakizumwami Buker Washington.
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