Luweero Bishop Warns Officials Against Intimidating School Administrators

The Bishop of Luweero Diocese, Rev. Wilson Kisekka, has cautioned government officials against what he described as intimidation of school administrators during inspections and monitoring of government-aided schools in Luweero District.

Bishop Kisekka said threats allegedly issued to school administrators by some officials had created fear among education workers and could disrupt the operations of Church-founded schools that receive government support.

He urged government officials to respect the administrative structures of Church-founded schools, warning that interference could affect their ability to deliver education services.

“Government officials should not intimidate our school administrators. Let them not interfere in the Church of Uganda schools because they may end up disrupting the way we run these schools,” Kisekka said.

Luweero District has 23 government secondary schools, including seed schools that are fully managed and funded by government, as well as government-aided schools founded mainly by religious organisations.

While government pays teachers’ salaries and provides other forms of support, Church-founded government-aided schools often rely on their own resources to construct buildings, provide meals and meet other operational costs.

School administrators, however, have for years raised concerns over some parents’ reluctance to contribute towards these additional requirements.

Bishop Kisekka attributed part of the tension to political leaders whom he accused of encouraging parents to resist school contributions while threatening to have administrators arrested.

He made the remarks during celebrations to mark 60 years since the establishment of Luweero Secondary School.

Several leaders attending the ceremony supported the Bishop’s concerns.

However, State Minister for Kampala Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye, who represented Gen. Salim Saleh at the event, assured the Bishop and school leaders that government’s primary interest was ensuring that public services are delivered effectively.

Kyofatogabye said government had no intention of fighting school administrators or religious leaders but warned that authorities would intervene if the situation deteriorated.

“Our intention is to ensure that government services are delivered. We are not fighting anyone, but if the situation gets out of hand, we shall not sit back and watch,” Kyofatogabye said.

State Minister for Finance Cissy Mulondo represented President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as chief guest at the celebrations.

In his message, President Museveni urged the school community to place greater emphasis on science education to equip learners with skills relevant to national development.

During the celebrations, the school also raised funds towards the construction of an administration block.

President Museveni contributed Shs40 million, while Gen. Salim Saleh donated Shs20 million towards the project.