MICHAEL N
Local leaders and residents of Nyabihoko Sub County, Kajara County in Ntungamo District, are demanding a government and police statement on how 21 sets of computers were stolen from the newly established Nyabihoko Seed Secondary School.
It has now been three months since residents of Nkongoro Town one morning saw police officers conducting a search with sniffer dogs, saying computers had been stolen from the school the previous night. However, since then, district leaders have not provided any report about the theft.
The 21 computers were delivered to the school premises on Friday, June 20, 2025. The school had not yet officially opened, and by the following day, reports emerged that all the computers had been stolen.
Residents living near the school suspect that the theft could have been carried out by the same people who brought the computers, as they might have known about the lack of security at the premises. They further revealed that CCTV cameras were first disconnected before the computers were taken.
The residents blamed the district security committee and police officers at Nkongoro Police Station, which is located near the school, for negligence. They also criticized the school contractor, whose workers were staying at the site, for failing to protect government property.
According to the residents, none of the locals knew about the arrival of the computers, and none of them possess the technical skills to disconnect CCTV systems or carry out such a theft. They believe the stolen computers would have helped learners attain quality education once the school officially started operations.
Omugurutsi Herbert Kagame, a concerned resident, expressed disappointment at how government property worth millions could be delivered to a remote area without any security measures in place. He noted that those who delivered the computers might have taken advantage of the lack of security to steal them. He urged authorities to strengthen security at the school to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Johnson Jack Bazirakye, the LC5 Councilor for Nyabihoko Sub County and newly appointed PTA Chairperson of the school, raised the issue during a district council meeting held on Tuesday, September 18, 2025, at the Ntungamo District Council Hall. He moved a motion calling for a government report on the theft, which was seconded by Emily Atuheire, the female LC5 Councilor for Nyabihoko Sub County and Rwashamaire Town Council. However, the Speaker did not give the matter any attention.
Bazirakye said he has repeatedly asked security officials to provide updates on the investigation but has received no response. He further revealed that local leaders were not informed about the delivery of the computers and that the machines were not marked as government property, which he suspects was intentional.
Laban Bwesigwa Rwakizi, the LC3 Chairperson of Nyabihoko Sub County, together with Emily Atuheire, confirmed the theft but said that although the case was reported to police, no feedback has been received on the progress of investigations.
Nason Bwesigye, the Acting Head Teacher of the school, also confirmed the theft but explained that the incident occurred before he assumed office. He said he is currently following up the case with police.
Efforts to get comments from Ntungamo District leaders, including the District Education Officer (DEO) and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), were unsuccessful.
