Relatives of Missing Kisoro Headteacher Living in Fear Amid Disappearance

Relatives of Sunday Julius, a 45-year-old headteacher of Gihuranda Primary School in Rukundo Town Council, Kisoro District, are living in fear following his mysterious disappearance in December 2025.

Julius’ father, Rwerekana Erasmus, 82, a resident of Bitare Village in Nyabwishenya Sub-county, said he last saw his son in December when he visited home, as was his routine during weekends.

He said initial reports of his son’s disappearance came as rumours, which he struggled to believe.

“I could not imagine that my son could just vanish without a trace,” Rwerekana said.

Since then, he says life has become increasingly difficult, both emotionally and financially, especially given his advanced age and poor health. He noted that Julius, as the firstborn, regularly supported him and coordinated family efforts to ensure he received medical care, including treatment in Kampala.

Nelson Tumwesigye, a teacher at Muko Primary School and a younger brother to the missing headteacher, said the family reported the matter to Kisoro Central Police Station but has not received any substantial updates.

Julius’ wife, Molly Tumuherwe, a teacher at Gitovu Primary School in Mupaka Town Council, said her husband had recently been transferred to Gihuranda Primary School, where he worked until his disappearance.

She appealed to district authorities, including the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the District Education Officer, to support efforts to trace him, noting that as a civil servant, he falls under government responsibility.

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However, the case has taken a controversial turn, with a member of the Gihuranda Primary School management committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleging that Julius disappeared with school funds amounting to over Shs8 million, including capitation grants and money collected from parents. These claims have not been independently verified.

Kisoro District Chief Administrative Officer, John Nyakahuma, said the district now considers Julius to have abandoned his duty. He revealed that the matter has been forwarded to the Rewards and Sanctions Committee for further action. In the meantime, the district has deployed another headteacher, Bigira Godfrey, to manage the school and halted Julius’ salary.

Meanwhile, Kirundo Sub-county LCV Councillor Bishubeho Louis has threatened legal action against both the school management committee and the CAO’s office, accusing them of not doing enough to trace the missing headteacher.

He argued that, as a public servant and prominent community member, the case should be treated with greater urgency.

In response, CAO Nyakahuma urged the family not to take the matter lightly and advised them to continue working closely with police, clarifying that his office is limited to handling administrative issues related to duty abandonment and ensuring continuity of learning at the school.

Kisoro District Police Commander, SP Edatu Cosmas, confirmed that the disappearance was reported under SD Ref: 20/11/12/2025 and said investigations are ongoing.

He appealed to members of the public with any information about Julius’ whereabouts to report to the nearest police station.