Police Recovers Missing Schoolgirl amidst Lawsuit against Bishop Asili Memorial School

KABALE – A former female student of Bishop Asili Memorial Nursery and Primary School, whose father had filed a lawsuit against the school regarding her disappearance, has been successfully recovered by the police in Kampala.

She was found under the care of her mother’s friend, Phionah Rukundo.

In 2018, Tadeo Ruzindantaro, represented by his lawyer, Timothy Twikirize of Twikirize and Company Advocates, filed a legal case against the management of Bishop Asili Memorial Nursery and Primary School at the Kabale High Court, civil suit number 36 of 2022. He accused the school of allowing his daughter, Bethan Nimurungi, to be taken by his estranged wife, Mercy Kirande, without his consent.

Kirande, who is currently residing in South Africa, had requested permission on April 23rd, 2018, to take the child to Kampala for medical treatment due to stomach complications. However, she failed to return the child to school.

Yesterday, the Uganda Police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga informed the press that the child and her caretaker, Phionah Rukundo, were located in Kampala through tracking efforts. Investigations revealed that Nimurungi’s mother, Mercy Kirande, along with her friend Phionah Rukundo, had taken the child from the school in Kabale district.

Rukundo was arrested on Saturday, the 23rd of this month, and Nimurungi is currently detained at Kibuli CID Headquarters in Kampala. Rukundo has been released on police bond, and both will be transported to Kabale Central Police Station for further proceedings.

CUE IN ENANGA…..ON ARREST…..LUG/ENG//

The school’s Head Teacher, Rev Sister Margret Tusiime, expressed relief at the child’s recovery. She acknowledged the school’s prior concerns about the legal costs associated with the case but thanked everyone for their support, seeing this as a significant milestone. She also emphasized that the school is collaborating with the police for further guidance.

CUE IN TUSIIME……ON INCIDENT…RR/ENG//

The school’s lawyer, Justus Muhangi of Muhangi and Partners Advocates, suggested that the plaintiff might have been aware of his child’s whereabouts all along. He alleged that the lawsuit was an attempt to tarnish the school’s reputation, especially since the plaintiff is currently residing in Kampala.

CUE IN MUHANGI…..ON CASE…RR/ENG//

However, Tadeo Ruzindantaro, the child’s father, continues to hold the school responsible for releasing his child without the parents’ consent. He cautioned the school not to hinder his efforts to rescue the children but instead urged them to provide evidence of their involvement in locating the children.

CUE IN RUZINDANTARO….ON THE MATTER…..RR//