In October 2024, students petitioned the district, citing numerous grievances. They accused tutors of failing to teach and subcontracting others to handle lessons despite being on government payroll. They also alleged that some equipment purchased by the government was missing.
The leadership of Nakaseke District has urged the Ministry of Education to transfer Alexander Mugisha, the principal of Nakaseke Technical Institute, citing allegations of incompetence and mismanagement.
Established in 2016 with a UGX 13 billion loan from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), the institute features modern facilities, including administration blocks, workshops, classrooms, a library, and vehicles for study tours. However, eight years later, the institution is grappling with mismanagement and declining enrollment, currently hosting only 168 students.
In October 2024, students petitioned the district, citing numerous grievances. They accused tutors of failing to teach and subcontracting others to handle lessons despite being on government payroll. They also alleged that some equipment purchased by the government was missing.
The complaints prompted the Nakaseke District leadership to commission an audit and establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations.
LC 5 Chairman Ignatius Koomu revealed that the investigations confirmed the principal’s mismanagement. Koomu stated that Mugisha’s inability to cooperate with tutors, students, the district leadership, and the Board of Governors has hindered progress at the institute.
"We have failed to work with the principal due to his poor management and lack of cooperation," said Koomu. He further mentioned plans to meet with State Minister for Higher Education, John Chrysestom Muyingo, to push for Mugisha's transfer.
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Besweri Ssaku, Chairperson of the Board of Governors, accused Mugisha of disrespecting the board by avoiding meetings intended to address students’ complaints. Ssaku also criticized Mugisha for presenting a plagiarized strategic plan from another vocational institute without editing its name, which undermined their advisory role.
"The principal seems uninterested in his role and has refused to promote the institute to attract new students," Ssaku said, adding that the board seeks a competent administrator to replace him.
Mugisha declined to comment on the district's recommendation but previously denied the allegations. He acknowledged disagreements with two tutors who stopped teaching after he rejected their call to expel students who allegedly assaulted them.
Mugisha argued that the institute has sufficient equipment, some of which remains unused. He maintained that the institution’s challenges stem from inadequate staffing, operating with only 13 of the required 23 tutors.
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The Ministry of Education is yet to respond to the district's request for the principal’s transfer.
