A headteacher in Bukomansimbi District has been arrested after being accused of stealing construction materials donated by the government. The materials were meant to build a toilet and kitchen at the school but were allegedly taken by the headteacher for personal gain.

The incident happened at a school in Budda, where parents protested on Wednesday, demanding action against the headteacher. According to them, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had delivered sand and stones earlier this year as part of the Tarehe Sita celebrations, a national event where the army carries out community projects. However, the materials never reached their intended use and instead disappeared.

Leo Lusiba, the chairperson of the school’s Parents’ Committee, said the UPDF had first renovated a classroom block, and the remaining materials were supposed to be used for constructing a new toilet and kitchen. But instead of seeing progress, parents noticed that nothing was being built. “The headmistress stole the materials,” Lusiba said angrily.

Frustrated by the situation, dozens of parents stormed the school early Wednesday morning, calling for the headteacher’s immediate resignation. They accused her of dishonesty, poor management, and neglect, which they said had led to a decline in the school’s performance and reputation.

Lusiba explained that before the current headteacher took over nearly ten years ago, the school had more than 400 pupils. But now, parents are withdrawing their children due to falling standards and lack of development. “Every term, the numbers keep dropping,” he said.

Parents also accused the headteacher of deception during this year’s Tarehe Sita celebrations. They claimed she brought in students from other schools and presented them as top performers from her own school to impress visiting officials. One parent said, “She even throws big parties after exam results to hide the school’s poor performance.”

The protest grew so intense that the Kibinge sub-county chairperson, Deo Bwanika, and the deputy headteacher, Kenneth Abwomugisha, decided to close the school temporarily. They sent pupils home to ensure their safety while the matter was being resolved.

Later in the day, Bukomansimbi’s assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Sula Mutebi, arrived at the school with security officials. After meeting with parents, teachers, and local leaders, Mutebi ordered the immediate arrest of the headteacher.

“This kind of behavior is unacceptable,” Mutebi said. “These materials were meant to improve the school, not to be stolen.”

The headteacher was taken to Bukomansimbi Police Station, where she remains as investigations continue. Meanwhile, leadership of the school has been handed over to Deputy Headteacher Kenneth Abwomugisha.

Parents expressed relief following the arrest, saying they had long been unhappy with the headteacher’s leadership. Many hope that the change will bring improvements to the school and restore confidence among parents and students.

The case highlights a growing concern about mismanagement in some schools, where resources meant for development end up being misused. Authorities have warned that such actions will not be tolerated, especially when they affect children’s education.

As the investigation continues, parents and local leaders are waiting to see what steps will be taken next. For now, the school remains open, with pupils returning to their classes under new temporary leadership.

The incident serves as a reminder that accountability is crucial, especially when public resources are involved. The community hopes that justice will be served and that the school will finally get the facilities it was promised.

With the headteacher in custody, parents are optimistic that this marks the beginning of positive change for their children’s education. They are now looking forward to seeing the construction of the much-needed toilet and kitchen, which had been delayed for too long.

Local leaders have assured the community that they will closely monitor the situation to ensure such misconduct does not happen again. The case has also sparked discussions about better supervision of school projects to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For now, the focus remains on getting the school back on track and ensuring that students have a proper learning environment. The parents’ protest has brought attention to the issue, and many hope it will lead to lasting improvements in the school’s management and infrastructure.