NELSON K
More than 50 students of Bwambara Secondary School in Bwambara Subcounty are being held at Uganda Police Force’s Bwambara Police Station following a student strike that erupted at the school on Friday night.
The unrest was reportedly triggered by frustration among students after the school administration allegedly failed to release funds to facilitate both the boys’ and girls’ teams that had qualified to represent the school in the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) competitions.
According to the school’s sports officials, tensions began to rise after the headteacher reportedly informed students that the school lacked sufficient funds to support both teams’ participation in the next stages of the competitions. While the girls’ team was reportedly allowed to continue, the boys’ football team was initially blocked from participating in the Round of 32 and Round of 16 fixtures of the U20 competition.
The development angered several students, particularly members of the football team, who later moved into Bwambara Trading Centre seeking financial support from residents, former students, and well-wishers to facilitate their participation. Some old students and community members reportedly contributed funds that enabled the team to travel and compete.
The boys’ team later participated in the matches that were hosted at Rumbugu Playground in Kebisoni Subcounty but were eliminated in the Round of 32.
Upon returning to school after the competition, tensions escalated further after the players reportedly found no supper prepared for them. This reportedly angered several students, leading to acts of vandalism in which some school property and infrastructure were damaged.
Police from Bwambara Police Station responded to the incident and arrested more than 50 students suspected of participating in the strike and destruction of property. Some day scholars and parents also reportedly presented themselves at the police station in solidarity with the arrested students.
Several parents and community members have since called for investigations into the matter, accusing the school administration of failing to adequately facilitate student activities and provide essential services.
Efforts to obtain a detailed response from the school headteacher, Mrs. Justine Tuhirirwe, were unsuccessful. When contacted by phone, she declined to comment on the allegations but stated that the situation was being handled by police at Bwambara Police Station.
