‘Poor toilets’: Amugu seed school students’ strike foiled 

Alebtong |On June 4, police in the Alebtong district foiled a planned strike by Amugu Seed Senior Secondary School students after DPC SSP Hillary Mukiza was alerted.

The DPC had previously received notification from the Officer in Charge of the Amugu Police Post that students intended to strike on Tuesday.

The DPC and team immediately responded to Amugu Seed Secondary School, where they confirmed that students had locked the offices of the head teacher, director of studies, stores, and disciplinary room.

There were cautionary notes on the wall, such as “nobody should risk to open until they meet the headteacher.”

“The DPC engaged the students’ leaders in a discussion, and they admitted that students planned to strike,” North Kyoga Regional PRO SP Patrick Jimmy Okema said on Tuesday.

Okema stated that the students wanted to strike because of the school’s poor toilet facilities, poor feeding, and a lack of science teachers and laboratory equipment.

Other reasons for the strike included alleged corruption and nonpayment for some local teachers hired by the school, which forced them to leave teaching.

According to SP Okema, statements were recorded from the deputy headteacher, the head prefect, and the watchmen while the headteacher was away in Kampala on official duty.

A brief meeting was held with students and teachers. “The doors were opened, and four padlocks were recovered. Some police officers were deployed at the school to control the situation.”

On Tuesday, a general enquiry file was opened to investigate the students’ allegations and grievances that led to the failed strike.

Police said they had made some observations at the school, including a disconnect between the school administration, teachers, and the students.

The toilet facilities are in terrible condition.

The dormitories and bedding need to be repaired.

“We now encourage relevant stakeholders such as the BOG, PTA, District leadership, and the education department to come in and address the situations,” Okema said.

Recently, a number of cases of indiscipline have emerged from some Seed secondary schools in the Lango sub-region. It is unclear which “seeds” they are sowing.