PTA Petitions First Lady Over Alleged Financial Mismanagement at Old Kampala SSS

KAMPALA, Uganda — The Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) Executive Committee of Old Kampala Secondary School has petitioned the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, seeking urgent intervention over alleged financial mismanagement and administrative irregularities at the school.

In a letter dated February 13, 2026, addressed to the First Lady through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports, the PTA accuses the school’s head teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Kabanda, of maladministration and victimizing whistleblowers who attempt to question her decisions.

Allegations of Financial Irregularities

The PTA claims that the school bursar was transferred after raising concerns about several financial practices, including:

Alleged overcharging of admission fees for Senior One and Senior Five students beyond approved budget figures.

Payment of a weekly allowance of Shs1 million to the head teacher, which the PTA says was not budgeted for.

Monthly fuel expenses of up to Shs3 million allocated to the head teacher despite residing within the school premises.

Addition of more than 20 unapproved staff members to the payroll without board approval.

Accumulation of debts reportedly exceeding Shs500 million within six months.

The letter further alleges that school assets — including a bus, a van, and furniture — were sold below market value and without adherence to government disposal procedures.

Concerns Over Governance and Transfers

The PTA also claims that several teachers and deputy head teachers face transfers allegedly initiated to consolidate administrative control.

In addition, the association questioned the Ministry’s earlier decision to appoint Mrs. Kabanda, arguing that their preferred candidate, Milly Kabanda from Lubiri SSS, had prior experience leading a government school and had the backing of both the PTA and the school’s foundation body, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

The PTA has copied its petition to the Inspector General of Government, the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, KCCA Executive Director, and senior officials within the Ministry of Education and Sports, calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations.

The Ministry of Education and Sports had not issued an official response to the claims by press time.