Sheema school directors arrested for defying directive on school closure

Sheema, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Sheema police have arrested two directors, 6 teachers of Sheema preparatory school and briefly detained 37 pupils after they were caught running normal studies amidst the ongoing school lockdown.

The teachers were arrested on Monday while the two directors were arrested yesterday after days of a police hunt.

The greater Bushenyi police spokesperson Marshal Tumusiime identified the arrested teachers as Isma Mwia Sele, Amos Ainembabazi, David Opondo, Naboth Mubangizi, Edith Tumuhimbise, and Christian Sekeny.

Tumusiime said that since Sunday 6th June 2021, when the president ordered the closure of schools for 42 days, Sheema preparatory school has never closed but kept normal learning disregarding the directives.

Tumusiime said they were tipped off by parents and other stakeholders that the school directors and teachers were forcing them to take their children back to school.

He said that the two school directors, Milton Mugizi and Francis Beinomugisha were arrested, as well as 37 pupils who were however released and handed over to their parents.

The Sheema district education officer, Loyce Tumusiime said they invited all headteachers and school directors and agreed to close but they were taken by surprise by the act of the two directors.

She said the arrested teachers are not on the district payroll.

Frank Kyerere, the Sheema district chairperson of the COVID-19 taskforce said the 6 teachers and the two directors were among the many who are still violating the presidential directives like the boda boda riders.

He said that the security will continue to conduct such operations until people can fully adhere to the presidential directives on coronavirus.

Tumusiime said the directors and their school teachers will appear in court to answer charges including committing a negligent act likely to spread the disease.

******

URN