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Three Alebtong headteachers arrested over alleged enrolment inflation
Police said preliminary findings indicated that discussions had been held between the district management and the school administrations over school operations and learner enrolment figures, but the discrepancies remained unresolved.
Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional police spokesperson. (File)
By: Hudson Apunyo, Journalist @New Vision
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ALEBTONG — Police have arrested three primary school headteachers in Alebtong District over allegations of inflating learner enrolment figures by a combined 864 pupils, following discrepancies reportedly discovered during an on-site headcount.
The arrests follow the opening of a General Enquiry File (GEF) Number 015/2026 to investigate the alleged irregularities at Amononeno Primary School in Abako sub-county, as well as at Owalo Primary School and Amugu Quran Primary School, both located in Amugu sub-county.
According to Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional police spokesperson, the matter was reported to Alebtong Police Station by the district’s Internal Security
Officer (DISO), Capt. Simon Sserugo.
The three headteachers arrested are; Nobert Okwel of Amononeno Primary School, Charles Odong of Amugu Quran Primary School and Emmanuel Okello of Owalo Primary School.
Police said preliminary findings indicated that discussions had been held between the district management and the school administrations over school operations and learner enrolment figures, but the discrepancies remained unresolved.
This prompted an on-site headcount, which reportedly revealed significant differences between the enrolment figures declared by the schools and the actual numbers of learners found.
Amononeno Primary School reportedly declared 1,531 learners, compared to an earlier figure of 1,000 learners, thereby creating a difference of 531 pupils.
The three headteachers arrested are; Nobert Okwel of Amononeno Primary School, Charles Odong of Amugu Quran Primary School and Emmanuel Okello of Owalo Primary School.
Police said preliminary findings indicated that discussions had been held between the district management and the school administrations over school operations and learner enrolment figures, but the discrepancies remained unresolved.
This prompted an on-site headcount, which reportedly revealed significant differences between the enrolment figures declared by the schools and the actual numbers of learners found.
Amononeno Primary School reportedly declared 1,531 learners, compared to an earlier figure of 1,000 learners, thereby creating a difference of 531 pupils.
At Amugu Quran Primary School, the reported enrolment rose from 174 to 371 learners, a difference of 197, while Owalo Primary School recorded an increase of learners from 879 to 1,015, a difference of 136.
The suspects are being detained to assist police with the ongoing investigations, said Okema.
The alleged inflation of enrolment figures has raised concerns over the allocation and utilisation of government resources intended to support school operations and education service delivery.
Police said investigations were ongoing and that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law based on the findings.
Okema urges the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as investigations continue.
The suspects are being detained to assist police with the ongoing investigations, said Okema.
The alleged inflation of enrolment figures has raised concerns over the allocation and utilisation of government resources intended to support school operations and education service delivery.
Police said investigations were ongoing and that appropriate action would be taken in accordance with the law based on the findings.
Okema urges the public to remain calm and avoid speculation as investigations continue.