Head teacher detained over drowned child

By Lawrence Okwakol

PALLISA - The head teacher of Nakalama primary school in Iganga district, Gregory Otai, has been detained at Pallisa central police station over the death of a pupil.

Gregory Otai, 52, is the director of Divine Hope Nursery and primary school in Pallisa town where Malcom Ahimbisibwe drowned earlier Wednesday in a shallow well dug on the school compound.

The CIID boss Pallisa, Gad Twinamasitko, said they were going to charge both Otai and his matron Florence Asio with accounts of negligence and child abuse as they exposed the deceased to hard labour of drawing water from a 35-feet deep pit.

Gregory Otai (R) the director of Divine Hope making a statement at Pallisa police station. PHOTO/Lawrence Okwakol

“The matter of fact is the school administration is responsible for Ahimbisibwe’s death because it would be the duty of the matron to draw water for pupils not themselves,” Twinamasitko said.

According to the head teacher, Martha Akwalinga, she reached school late to find everybody in a sombre mood and was told Ahimbisibwe had gone missing.

Akwalinga said she reported the matter to Otai who was teaching in primary seven and he a manhunt for the boy.

John Francis Okuma, the district education officer, Pallisa (in suit) ordering for the closure of the school. PHOTO/Lawrence Okwakol

When Ahimbisibwe’s mother, Barbara Masibo, was contacted she broke down and demanded an explanation.

Masibo, who conceived the boy in school and dropped out, is currently in senior six at Mbale SS.

Meanwhile, on getting the sad news the district education officer Pallisa, John Francis Okuma, rushed to the school and ordered Akwalinga to close it immediately.

Divine Hope school where the primary three pupil drowned. PHOTO/Lawrence Okwakol

“As the district education officer I directed for the closure of the school because a pupil died under mysterious circumstances “, Okuma said.

John Watenyeli, the resident district commissioner, asked people who preferred digging pits as water sources to esnure they are protected.

Watenyeli regretted the incident saying Mbabazi was the third victim to drown in similar circumstances in Pallisa.

“LCs should ensure people with pits dug purposely for water protect them getting a bag of cement at sh30,000 in cheaper. Safer and better than spending more in burial expenses and loss of life”, RDC said.