Kabale Head Teacher Arrested for Blocking P.7 Pupil from Sitting PLE

Kabale, Uganda — The territorial police in Kabale District have arrested the head teacher of Rwababa Primary School in Kyanamira Sub-county, identified as Drake Kishija, for allegedly denying a registered Primary Seven candidate the chance to sit for his Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE).

According to ASP Elly Maate, the Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, Kishija was arrested after a relative of the affected pupil, Gerald Natuhumuza Esau, lodged a complaint at Kabale Police Station.

The complaint stated that the pupil, Ezekiel Ahimbisibwe, a registered candidate under Index No. 002/002472, was unfairly stopped from sitting his exams on allegations that he had failed to pay UGX 70,000 in “coaching fees” during the recent teachers’ industrial action period.

ASP Maate confirmed that preliminary findings indicate the boy had fulfilled all the official examination requirements and was fully registered to sit for PLE.

“The Head teacher was arrested after the relative of the helpless boy reported that he was denied the opportunity to write his exams despite being a fully registered candidate,” said Maate.

When questioned, Head teacher Kishija reportedly claimed that the pupil had not shown up at the school until police intervened—by which time the examination paper was nearly over.

“This is an allegation subjected to investigations, and the outcome will determine the way forward. However, it is very unfortunate for a young boy to miss his national exams over such an incident,” Maate added, condemning the act.

The police have since launched investigations into the matter, emphasizing that all learners have a right to education and to sit for national examinations once registered.

Authorities have vowed to ensure justice for the pupil and to take appropriate disciplinary action if the allegations are proven true.

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