Tensions reached a boiling point in Iziniro Village, Birambo Parish, Maziba Sub- County, Kabale District on Monday afternoon after angry parents set fire to the home of a local teacher.
They accused him of being responsible for a series of alleged demonic attacks at Maziba Mixed Primary School.
The teacher, identified as Monday Expedito, became the focus of community outrage following reports of mysterious afflictions affecting pupils since last term.
According to parents, the affected children first complain of severe headaches and later begin to exhibit strange behavior.
These symptoms reportedly only appear when the children are at school.
In response to the situation, the school was recently closed by Kabale District authorities.
Matters escalated two weeks ago when 16 pupils were reportedly affected in a single incident.
Despite ongoing prayers led by parents, teachers, and members of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, the disturbances have continued.
On Monday, a group of furious parents stormed Expedito’s residence. They set three of his houses on fire, destroyed his banana plantation, slaughtered more than 20 pigs, and killed several goats that were in his compound. Expedito and his family are currently in hiding.
The violence prompted Kabale Resident District Commissioner Godfrey Nyakahuma and District Education Officer Moses Bwengye Tumwijukye to visit the scene in an effort to calm the situation.
Commissioner Nyakahuma urged parents to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. He stated that the accused teacher would be summoned to Kabale Central Police Station to make a statement.
He also warned that taking the law into their own hands could result in arrests.
Education Officer Tumwijukye directed the school administration to resume normal operations. He said that spiritual interventions by clergy would continue in parallel with academic activities.
He further instructed that another teacher, Doreen Nayebare, who is accused of conspiring with Expedito, should not report to school until investigations are complete.
Maziba Sub- County LC3 Chairperson Onesmus Mutungi advised security agencies to consider relocating Expedito from the area until the situation stabilizes. Tofiri Ngabirano, a local leader, claimed that attempts to speak with Expedito had failed.
He alleged that the teacher refused to acknowledge the accusations and recounted an incident in which Expedito allegedly lured a pupil and participated in the slaughter of a hen at the school.
According to Ngabirano, this act is believed by some locals to have triggered the ongoing spiritual disturbances.
Investigations are underway as district authorities work to restore order.
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