14 Apac students arrested over violent strikes

APAC– At least 14 students of Maruzi Seed Secondary School in Apac district have been arrested and detained over malicious damage of property.

According to North Kioga Regional police spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema, the students destroyed classroom windows, the kitchen, and broke into the school canteen, and looted all foodstuff.

Though the police didn’t mention the cause of the strike, the school`s headteacher, Tonny Anyii, said it was sparked off by S.4 students when they were instructed to sweep the compound before entering classrooms for lessons.

Okema identified the suspects as Kiyonga Christopher Ceaser, Pelo Abraham, Akora Allan Maxwell, Orongo Gabriel, Ongom Anorld, Ebuu Ronald Ococ, Ogwok Ronald, Amai Haggai, Okwang Bonnie, and Nambasi James Eric.

Others in custody according to the police include, Ocama Brian Omong, Odongo Bonnie, Okada Joshua and Ongulu Chris.

A week ago 11 students of Agali Seed Secondary School in Lira district were arrested for causing the destruction of newly commissioned structures at the school constructed at the cost of Shs 2.1 billion.

Agali Seed Secondary School was among 117 schools in the country constructed under Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer funded by the World Bank. It was commissioned by state minister for Northern Uganda, Grace Freedom Kwiyucwiny.

Two months ago students of Dr Obote College also in Lira were engaged in a running battle with the police after they started striking over unclear circumstances.

Both the district LC5, Richard Okello Orik and Collin Abalo, the headteacher Agali Secondary Seed Secondary School condemned the violent act.

“We would like to caution students to avoid expressing their grievances by destroying school properties rather than engaging the management through their prefects,” Okema said.

He described the act as a primitive approach to handling problems, saying that people in the modern era solve issues through peaceful means rather than violence.

He urged school authorities to empower career guidance and counseling departments and bring different stakeholders to talk to the students on matters such as strikes.

https://thecooperator.news/masaka-school-temporarily-closed-over-students-strike/

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