The security team in Kisoro district is investigating allegations of widespread human rights violations, including sexual harassment, assault, intimidation, and threats against students at Kisoro Vision Secondary School.
These allegations surfaced following a video on social media showing Agu Saddam, a 28-year-old resident of Yumbe district and a gatekeeper at the school, brutally assaulting a senior three student named Asiimwe Blessed. Many local residents have called for swift action against the victim.
During his investigation at Kisoro Vision Secondary School with the students, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Robert Tukamuhebwa asked students to write down anonymously about any human rights violations they had experienced at the school.
Based on the students’ written responses, it was revealed that both students and parents were being brutally punished, sexually assaulted, subjected to excessive power wielded by prefects, and locked in toilets. Students urged Tukamuhebwa to use the school’s CCTV cameras to gather evidence.
Tukamuhebwa acknowledged the students’ discipline and commitment to their studies and ordered the immediate arrest of Agu Saddam, the gatekeeper, and three teachers: Nsenga George, Boosa Natweeta (both physics and mathematics), and Muhindo Wycliffe (a CRE teacher), who are being sought for their alleged involvement in assault and torture of students.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police, Twinomugisha Godiliva, of the Kisoro Central Police Station Criminal Investigation Department (CID), condemned the acts of school authorities assaulting students, which is illegal according to the Ugandan constitution. She urged students to report any related violations.
The Kisoro district internal security officer, Samson Kaberuka, urged students to remain focused on their studies while the situation is being addressed by the school administration and stakeholders.
The Kisoro Municipality principal education officer, Sabiti Emmanuel Mugema, commended the students of Kisoro Vision Secondary School for continuing their normal studies despite the ongoing investigation. He warned the school proprietors against mistreating their students and parents.
The headteacher of Kisoro Vision Secondary School, Buker Hakizumwami, was briefly detained by police for failing to provide CCTV footage as evidence of human rights violations to the security team led by Deputy RDC Robert Tukamuhebwa.
