Police in Kisoro District are holding 28 students of Kisoro Savior Secondary School over their alleged involvement in a violent strike that resulted in extensive destruction of school property and theft of money and goods worth millions of shillings.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday at around 1:00 a.m., when the teacher on duty discovered some students in the dormitory during prep time. The situation is said to have escalated after disciplinary action was taken, leading to unrest that quickly spread among other students.
According to preliminary reports, the agitated students turned violent, attacking school property and forcing staff to flee for their safety. They allegedly broke into the bursar’s office and school canteen, stole money and goods, and caused widespread destruction across the school.
Property damaged includes windows and glass panes, the bursar’s office door, the school canteen, tables, benches, chairs, and desks. Outside the school premises, banana plantations belonging to nearby residents were also destroyed, while sugarcane gardens were reportedly harvested and consumed.
Items reported stolen include UGX 1.8 million from the school canteen, UGX 3.7 million from the bursar’s office, food items worth UGX 500,000, sugarcane valued at about UGX 1.5 million, and several school uniforms.
It is further alleged that the unrest began on Monday night at around 10:00 p.m., when a teacher on duty discovered six students hiding in the dormitory during study time. They were reportedly taken to the staffroom for disciplinary action, which triggered anger among the students. The situation escalated when other students began shouting and later throwing stones at teachers, forcing staff to temporarily withdraw from the school premises.
Police say this created an opportunity for some students to break into offices and continue the destruction and theft.
Kigezi Region Police spokesperson Elly Maate confirmed the incident, saying the head teacher reported the matter to the District Police Commander as the situation worsened. Police officers were later deployed to restore order.
Maate added that a joint meeting involving the District Police Commander, District Education Officer, Inspector of Schools, CID officers, some parents, and school administrators was held to identify those involved. The 28 students were subsequently arrested, while the school was temporarily closed as investigations continue.
CUE IN MAATE…..ON STRIKE…..RR/ENG//
