Summary:
- Following an audit, the joint press conference of Old Kampala Secondary School’s PTA and OKOSA reveals financial mismanagement, maladministration, and land protection issues, prompting resolutions including the call for a new board and support for the newly appointed Head Teacher.
In a joint press conference held on December 2, 2023, the Executive Committees of both the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and the Old Kampala Old Students Association (OKOSA) unveiled a comprehensive set of resolutions following a meticulous audit of Old Kampala Secondary School’s finances and operations.
The audit laid bare substantial financial mismanagement during the tenure of the former Head Teacher, Mr. Muloni James, who presided over the institution from 2017 to 2022. Shockingly, the school’s funds dwindled from a robust 1.8 billion shillings to an alarming 5 million shillings under his leadership. The audit further exposed irregularities such as the existence of ghost cheques and dubious supply purchases, painting a grim picture of fiscal impropriety.
Beyond financial concerns, the audit cast a spotlight on maladministration and tribalism within the school’s leadership, particularly under the tenure of Madam Apolot, who continues to wield influence within the Ministry of Education. Accusations against Madam Apolot include favoritism towards certain teachers, undermining the authority of the Head Teacher, and fostering divisions among the staff, presenting a troubling narrative of administrative dysfunction.
Addressing another critical aspect, the audit recommended the strategic transfer of teachers who have overstayed their welcome, having served at the school for over a decade. Allegations suggest that these long-serving educators have shifted their focus from teaching to engaging in business activities within the school, contributing to the decline in academic performance.
An alarming revelation from the audit highlighted attempts to illegitimately acquire the school’s sports grounds. The most recent attempt involved a dubious resolution by the former board to lease the land to Forward Diaspora, a UK-based company, purportedly for the development of a golf course. Both the PTA and OKOSA view this as a veiled land-grabbing ploy and are actively taking measures to safeguard the school’s valuable property.
In a bid to address the malicious propaganda threatening the school’s reputation, the audit recommended legal action against specific individuals, including Musinguzi, Egesa, and Kamwenzi. These individuals stand accused of spreading damaging falsehoods against Old Kampala Secondary School, and the stakeholders are determined to pursue legal avenues to counteract these harmful narratives.
To institute transformative change, the PTA and OKOSA jointly called upon the Ministry of Education to appoint a new school board, drawing from the pool of nominees submitted by all stakeholders. Simultaneously, acknowledging the challenges faced by the newly appointed Head Teacher, the audit urged the Ministry of Education to provide unwavering support to enable the Head Teacher to stabilize the school and implement much-needed reforms.
