By Alfred Opio
Learning at Kibale Senior Secondary School in Pallisa District was brought to a standstill after students staged a dramatic and violent strike, accusing their head teacher, Proscovia Nabulo, of engaging in witchcraft.
The unrest, which erupted during school hours, left property destroyed, the school administration shaken, and authorities scrambling to restore order.
Eyewitnesses reported that the strike quickly escalated from murmurs of discontent into outright chaos. Angry students vandalized school property, smashing classroom window panes and damaging parts of the school infrastructure.
In the heat of the unrest, the head teacher was reportedly pelted with stones, forcing her to flee and lock herself inside her office for safety until the situation calmed down.
The alarming incident prompted school authorities to urgently call in district education officials and security personnel, who intervened to contain the situation and prevent further destruction.
At the center of the students’ grievances are claims of strange and frightening occurrences within the school, which they strongly associate with alleged witchcraft. During a tense meeting held after the strike, one student, who spoke on condition of anonymity, narrated a series of incidents that have fueled fear among learners.
The student claimed that unknown individuals had secretly planted bottles containing suspicious substances around the school premises, allegedly during weekends when students were absent. According to the learners, the appearance of these bottles coincided with an increase in cases of students collapsing mysteriously during school hours.
“We found bottles planted in the school, and no one knows who brought them,” the student explained. “Since then, students have been collapsing almost every day. When we reported to the head teacher, she said they were chemicals for repelling snakes, but we have not seen any snakes.”
The learners also cited other disturbing incidents, including the discovery of a dead hen inside the boys’ latrine under unusual circumstances. The students interpreted this as further evidence of unusual activity. Additional claims included reports of blood found near the school gate, objects allegedly moving on their own, and students experiencing unexplained pressure while studying at night.
“There are cases where students come for night prep, and they feel something pressing them, yet they cannot see anything,” the student added. “We believe there is something wrong in this school.”
The students further alleged that deaths have occurred among candidates in previous years under mysterious circumstances, heightening their fears and suspicions.
However, Pallisa District Education Officer Ronald Omutujju dismissed the claims as largely unfounded and urged students to adopt rational thinking. Drawing from his extensive experience in education, Omutujju explained that many of the reported incidents could be attributed to medical or psychological conditions such as hysteria, dehydration, or stress.
“I have taught for over 20 years, and I know cases where students collapse due to hunger, heat, or emotional stress,” Omutujju said. “Some of these situations are not supernatural but can be explained scientifically.”
He emphasized that poor communication between the school administration and students may have contributed to the misunderstanding. He noted that if concerns about the alleged chemicals or other issues had been properly addressed through established channels, the strike could have been avoided.
Omutujju also condemned the destruction of school property, warning that such actions would have long-term consequences for the learners themselves. He reminded students that government resources are limited and that rebuilding damaged infrastructure would not be easy.
“When you destroy school property, you are destroying your own future,” he cautioned. “Teachers can be transferred, but you remain here to suffer the consequences.”
Adding his voice to the matter, Resident District Commissioner Majid Dhikusooka strongly condemned the students’ actions, stating that they had no right to riot or cause chaos within the school. However, he assured the learners that their concerns had been noted and would be thoroughly investigated.
“You have no right to riot or demonstrate in a destructive manner,” Dhikusooka said. “But we have listened to your concerns, and we are going to handle them.”
The incident has sparked wider concern among education stakeholders in the region, with calls for increased counseling services in schools to address fear, anxiety, and misinformation among students. Authorities have pledged to carry out investigations into the allegations while working to restore calm and normalcy at the school.
As Kibale SS attempts to recover from the unrest, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of communication, guidance, and psychological support in learning institutions, particularly in addressing fears that may easily spiral into crisis if left unchecked.
