Students of Bumasifwa Seed School in Sironko District staged a peaceful protest on Monday, demanding the immediate transfer of their head teacher, Maliki Lunialo, whom they accuse of mismanagement and neglect of duty.
The students, chanting slogans and holding placards, marched to the Sironko District headquarters to petition education authorities.
They accused Lunialo of chronic absenteeism, strained relations with the school’s board, and the unjust dismissal of teachers who were hired under the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) arrangement.
According to the protesting students, the school has gone nearly a month without lessons, leaving them academically stranded.
“We are not learning, and our future is at stake,” one student told reporters. “We want a head teacher who is present and supports our teachers.”
The students pledged to maintain pressure until Lunialo is removed from his position.
In response to the growing unrest, Lunialo dismissed the allegations, describing them as part of a smear campaign orchestrated by disgruntled former board members.
He said the previous board’s term expired in December and a new list of members has been submitted to the Ministry of Education for approval.
“These individuals are unhappy with the transition and are manipulating students to demonstrate,” Lunialo claimed.
He also denied allegations of dismissing PTA teachers, attributing the current gap in lessons to a sit-down strike by arts teachers.
On the matter of absenteeism, Lunialo defended his travel to Kampala, saying it was for official duties and not personal business.
Despite the growing concerns, education officials in Sironko District have not yet issued an official statement.
The situation remains tense, with students vowing not to return to class until their demands are addressed.
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