KATAKWI: Authorities Close Primary School after Parents Lock-Out Head Teacher

The current population of Aterai PS during Monday assembly -Photo By Emmanuel Olinga

Aterai Primary School in Dadas Parish, Akoboi Sub County in Katakwi District has been closed by District authorities after parents went on rampage locking out the Head teacher from his office.

The parents who took the drastic action on Monday 20th April 2026 accuse the Head teacher, Joseph Asedeke of alleged corruption, mismanagement of the school property and funds.

Consequently, the Katakwi Education Office temporarily closed the school operations until Wednesday 22/04/2026 to ascertain the issue raised by parents.

The disgruntled Parents castigated the Head Teacher highlighting several circumstances surrounding his mismanagement noting that most of the school items such as school Laptop, smart phone used as reporting tool, 8 pairs of gumboots, solar battery, printing machine for tests, furniture including tables and chairs have been taken away by Asedeke and are used as family property.

According to the parents, during athletics that was conducted in Getom primary school on Friday 17th April 2026, the headteacher never fed athletes properly stressing that pupils were fed on cowpeas and potatoes yet an allocation of funds for food was planned for under co-curricular vote.

The parents’ actions have caused an audit query and investigation on allegations where the education office had to temporarily close up to Wednesday when district officials will convene for a meeting with the community.

Cyrus Imalingat, PISO Dadas parish noted that the status of the school is drastically collapsing noting that parents pay a contribution of Shs30,000 annually but no development is realized.

Local leaders in Akoboi sub county such as John Omoding, Ruth Jane Acom, Charles Opio and Cyrus Imalingat voiced their concerns noting that the school administrator has mismanaged school property to the extent of keeping poultry, mismanaging UPE funds, and even school gardens are bring owned as a family asset urging for his transfer because the school is collapsing.

Emmanuel Imalingat, James Opio, Charles Ediemu and Richard Opio, part of the Primary Seven class of 32 pupils also expressed concern about even transfer of teachers noting that the education department only posts old, tired teachers to their school. They also testified that the school is crippled with only 3 teachers running the school while school items disappear.

Joseph Omolo, the School management committee Chairperson disclosed that the SMC and PTA had secretly written to the office of DEO for transfer of Asedeke and coincidently parents also protested over the same matter.

However, efforts to reach Asedeke were futile since he never appeared at school and his known contact was unreachable.

Speaking to calm down angry parents, Joseph Alileng acting DEO and Inspector Bosco Okiror told parents that the district take action. He asked the parents, teachers and headteacher in absentia not to tamper with the locked office.

He stressed that the education office will intervene on matters as the school remains closed until Wednesday 22/04/2026 where district officials including CAO, Auditors and police will convene for appropriate action.