Tear gas rocked at Mpanga government aided Senior Secondary school in Fort Portal town after senior four students went on strike over missing index numbers.
It all started after the students went in the examination room but when they demanded for their examination index numbers, they were shocked to be told that they can’t be given index numbers because they failed to pay Shs 20, 000 for the purchase of the school bus and other requirements.
Rwenzori sub region Police spokesperson Bakari Muga Bashir says the angry students then stormed the office of the head teacher identified as Musa Kizito and attempted to lynch him.
The exams only started at 1:00pm after anti-riot police swung into action by firing live bullets and teargas to disperse the protesting students. Heavy police deployment remains at the school.
The Executive Secretary of the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Mr.Bukenya Matthew had earlier warned the school heads against barring students from doing examinations because of failure to complete the school dues. He said this is sabotage of government program and affecting the students’ future.
In Kibaale district, five senior four candidates have not sat for their UCE exams at Kagadi secondary school.
According to the school head teacher, Mr Sebastian Semakula the affected candidates were those who dropped out of school this term for unclear reasons.
Out of 180 candidates registered for UCE exams only 175 have sat for their O’ level exams at the centre.
The Kibaale District Education officer, Mr John Kyaboona, has told journalists that he had yet received any reports of examination misconduct from supervisors in various centres.
Story by Francis Tusiime
