Masindi pupils storm police station protesting arrest of teacher, classmates

Summary:

• Pupils from Biizi Primary School stormed Masindi police station after their teacher and classmates were arrested for allegedly stoning Godfrey Bitature’s daughter over a playground dispute. The school claims the land was donated, while Bitature disputes it. The case is ongoing in Masindi High Court.

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Pupils from Biizi Primary School in Nyangahya division, Masindi district, made a forceful presence at the Masindi police station last Friday in response to the apprehension of their teacher and fellow students.

The arrest unfolded after an unnamed teacher and two pupils were taken into custody by law enforcement. Allegedly, the pupils had thrown stones at the daughter of Godfrey Bitature, a neighboring resident, following a dispute earlier in the week. The disagreement stemmed from an incident where the pupils attempted to drive Bitature’s cows away from the school’s playground, where the animals were grazing.

The ownership of the playground has been a contentious issue between the school and Bitature, currently under deliberation at Masindi High Court.

Godwin Abigaba, a resident of Biizi, informed our platform that Bitature’s daughter reported the incident to the police after being pelted with stones. Subsequently, the teacher and pupils were arrested and held at Masindi police station.

In response, the pupils mobilized and marched to the police station, protesting the arrests and demanding the release of their peers. Member of Parliament for Masindi municipality, Joab Businge, intervened, leading to the release of the suspects on bond.

Consolate Birungi, Biizi cell LC1 chairperson, stated that the police instructed both parties to reconvene at the station the following Monday to resolve the matter amicably.

Efforts to obtain a statement from the police regarding the incident were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

The dispute over the playground has a lengthy history, with the school claiming it was a donation from Bitature’s grandfather, a contention that Bitature disputes. The school’s management committee initially took the matter to Masindi Magistrate Court, where Bitature prevailed. Dissatisfied with the ruling, the school appealed to Masindi High Court, where the case is still pending.

Last year, the court issued an injunction prohibiting Bitature from any activities on the land until the case reaches a resolution.

With inputs from UgReports