First Lady deploys team to probe murder at Soroti school

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The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs Janet Museveni, has extended her sympathies to the family of Faith Joan Apio 5, who was allegedly killed inside the school latrine in Soroti city on February 5.

“Maama Janet and the entire ministry extend their condolences to the family upon the loss of their child,” Frances Atima, the Director of the Directorate of Education Standards at the ministry of education and sports said.

Atima who said that the ministry has deployed her for a fact-finding mission to Jozan Nursery and primary school located in Eastern Division in Soroti city, expressed concern over what she described as the 'horrendous’ safety of pupils at the school is under investigation.

“The safety of learners in all learning institutions is very paramount to the ministry,” Atima said after receiving a briefing from the city authorities on Friday.

Atima, who also visited the school, inspected the buildings which were burned by an angry mob a few days ago.

Children inside a once vibrant school, now reduced to rubble after an angry mob set it on fire and destroyed the walls. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)

The mob included people who protested what they described as the delayed conviction of the Apio murder suspects.

The school was closed by the city authorities on Thursday, February 4, to pave the way for smooth investigations by the detectives. The school being a crime scene, nobody apart from security was allowed to access the school compound.

“I have visited the school and I have found out that there are no learners and the structures and property have been burnt.”

“Looking at those grounds, the safety of learners is paramount because we have a responsibility.

I will write a report to the ministry of education permanent secretary recommending for the de-registration of the school operating certificate,” Atima said.

The Education Act of 2008 prescribes the ground in which the school registration certificate can be canceled and de-registered being a school with no learners and structures of which Jozan is an example.

After her visit on Friday afternoon, angry people went in the night to set the school on fire burning classroom blocks, deroofing other blocks and looting desks, windows and doors of the school.

Jozan nursery and primary school opened in 2013.

Apio murder:

Police have arrested eight people including two minors who have been charged in Soroti court with murder.

The eight suspects who are currently on remand in different prisons in Teso include Joseph Okedi 43, the school director, Suzan Vivian Ariokot 38, Okedi’s wife and the school co-director, John Bosco Obotol 34, the brother of Okedei and a serving police officer attached to crime intelligence East division police in Soroti city.

Others are matron Osula Adongo 34, James Edoket 32, the headmaster, Valentin Opio 37, a cook and two minors including a 12 year old daughter of Okedi.

On Thursday (March 6), the suspects attended the court session virtually, via Zoom. Grade One Magistrate, Kibirige Apollo Kasujja, remanded them until March 20, because the investigations are not yet complete.