It was purposely reserved to promote recreation and sports activities, computer and ICT services, leisure and a counselling point for youths. But in 2019, Dr Kkonde reportedly attempted to take over a plot of land measuring 0.642 hectares in Upper Kauga behind the Mukono district headquarters.
45 students graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery and nine students with a Bachelor's Degree in Dental Surgery. They were among the 1002 students who received their degrees on Friday at the University's 24th graduation ceremony.
According to our reporter in Mukono, the students developed complications at the Church of Uganda-owned school for lay leaders after being served lunch comprising beans and Posho.
Nakabiri, who was found seated outside the school gate with primary seven test papers, expressed confusion and disbelief about the suspension letter. She saw no reason to stay at home, especially since she failed to understand its meaning. The gatekeeper was instructed not to allow her access to the school premises.
The Commissioner for Government Secondary Schools Sam Kuloba says many schools are suffering from erosion, people are displaced by natural disasters while extreme weather events make access to education very difficult.
Rose Nassali, Chairperson for the Principals of Health Training Institutions in Uganda, notes that the registration process was made easier since it can be done online. But the challenge is that many graduates wait until when they want to upgrade or get job opportunities and then rush for registration.
The school had three classroom blocks. However, two of them were razed by stormy rains during the COVID-19 lockdown forcing the municipal authority to cordon off the main block which was in a dilapidated state without doors and windows, and with a roof that was on the verge of collapsing.
The initiative is part of the program launched by Rotary District 9213 in July last year named BELEP - Basic Education and Literacy Enhancement Programme - with a campaign of ‘Drop Everything And Read'- DEAR Day.
“The Chairperson ordered four angry armed guards to forcefully take me out of the hall. They surrounded me and ordered me to move out with my hands raised up. The guards pushed me before detaining me under the mango tree until the end of the hearing.” Ssentumbwe indicated in the application.
The fire burnt the schoolgirl’s hostel leaving 11 girls dead a week ago. DNA tests were subsequently conducted and on Wednesday, the remains of the deceased were handed over to the relatives for burial after a general vigil mass led by the Parish Priest of St Paul Catholic Church Mukono, Fr Paul Ssebitoogo.
According to Lamaro, the incidents have continued despite the presence of legal frameworks such as the Education Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, Basic Requirements, and Minimum Standards.
James Byabali, the school PTA Chairperson, says that the head teacher has repeatedly tried to influence the appointment of the school board, something they have vehemently rejected.
On Tuesday, the State Minister for primary education, Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu listed six measures, which include the immediate restoration of the damaged property using an emergency fund, providing spiritual support to the learners, counseling teachers and learners, registration of the boarding section and the permanent deployment of security guards as well as including the school facility grant in the next district budget.
The school head teacher, Francis Kinubi, says that while they would wish to retain all the children at the school for specialized counseling, they have only resolved to retain the candidates given the magnitude of the tragedy that befell the school.
Kinubi says warnings were made by eight officers from the Buckingham Palace Royal Guard who visited the school twice to assess the security measures of the place. But the headteacher now admits they took the warning lightheartedly.
Mukono Division Police Commander Annabelle Nyinamahoro says that there were 17 children in the hostel but only seven were rescued and rushed to Herona hospital.
The Rotary Club President for Ssonde, Connie Masaba says much as Ssonde is focusing on Mukono, the programme is also being implemented by other clubs dedicated to offer an hour every week to supervise reading and literacy classes in pre-primary, primary and secondary schools.
The Mukono Municipal Inspector of School, Faridah Nassolo, says that they are on the verge of losing the five schools since they lack funds to secure titles as demanded by the landlords. She notes that the former owners of the land hosting Kiwanga and Nakagere Umea primary schools sold the land private developer.