Katakwi Parents Condemn DISO’s Intimidation of Head Teacher in Exam Row

Summary:

• Joseph Otoke, the chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), stated that the situation posed a security threat to the head teacher, who now lives in fear.

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KATAKWI: Parents of Katakwi High School have condemned alleged threats made by Katakwi District Internal Security Officer (DISO), Benon Oguti, against the school’s head teacher, Joseph Opule.

The incident reportedly stemmed from the head teacher’s decision not to allow Aaron Erabu, a student, to sit for the Senior Six examinations after arriving late.

During the school’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, disgruntled parents expressed their dissatisfaction with the DISO’s actions, claiming his threats were undermining the school’s progress. A section of the parents, who preferred to remain anonymous, criticized Oguti, saying his behavior was counterproductive to the remarkable growth the school has achieved.

Katakwi High School, which previously had an enrollment of 300 students, now boasts 1,151 students a sharp increase attributed to the efforts of the new head teacher, Opule, within just one year.

Joseph Otoke, the chairperson of the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), stated that the situation posed a security threat to the head teacher, who now lives in fear.

Retired Chief Magistrate and practicing advocate Robert Imalingat also spoke out, condemning the DISO’s alleged actions as indiscipline.

“We intend to protest this misconduct by the DISO, which threatens the school’s administration,” he said.

Imalingat, who chairs the school’s Disciplinary Committee, revealed plans to review and enforce stricter rules and regulations to curb such incidents of indiscipline.

While some parents expressed concerns anonymously, others openly voiced their support for the head teacher.

“We are ready to support our mighty head teacher in restoring and developing the lost glory of Katakwi High School,” one parent said.

Head teacher Joseph Opule clarified the situation, stating that Erabu was not denied the chance to sit for the exams but had arrived 40 minutes late for the paper.

He explained that a national Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scout guided him through the protocol in handling the matter. However, the DISO allegedly responded by threatening him.

Opule added that Erabu’s parents had lobbied for his admission to Katakwi High School after he was expelled from Jereza High School for indiscipline. According to the head teacher, Erabu was later involved in another incident where he resisted school security measures and refused to hand over his phone when requested.

Elvis Samuel Ojula, LC3 chairperson of Katakwi Sub-County and chief guest at the AGM, assured parents that the district leadership would not allow intimidation to tarnish the school’s reputation.

“As leaders of Katakwi, we will engage stakeholders in education and security to elevate the standard of education in the sub-county,” Ojula said.

Efforts to get a comment from the DISO, the district education department, and other invited officials were unsuccessful, as they reportedly boycotted the AGM.