Teacher locked in toilet for hours

COURT | CRIME 

George Kayega, a retired teacher, on July 13 went to find out from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Bugweri why he had not received his pension for the past six months.

Instead, he was locked up in the toilet at the district headquarters for the better part of the day.

Kayega, a former teacher at Bubinga Muslim Primary School in Buyanga sub-county, Bugweri district, had earlier suspected foul play after failing to get his pension and gratuity.

He came storming the office of the CAO, demanding an explanation.

Kayega, who retired from public service on medical grounds, accuses the CAO, Jonathan Mukose, of locking him in the toilet until he was rescued by the district Police commander, John Nkundizana, who rushed to the scene after being tipped off by the Resident District Commissioner, Gad Rugaaju.

Kayega filed a case of assault and violation of his rights against the CAO at Iganga Magistrate's Court.

Iganga Grade One Magistrate Yunus Ndiwalana summoned Mukose to appear before court to defend himself against the allegations.

Ndiwalana said action would be taken against the accused in case he fails to turn up at court today.

Mukose recorded a statement at Bugweri Central Police Station under file number CRB-36-2020.

However, he declined to give details of the case. The Uganda Human Rights Commission has also taken up the issue.

In a letter addressed to Mukose, dated August 1 and signed by Betty Enangu, the regional principal human rights officer, said the CAO contravened article 20-24 and 44 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda that provides for respect of the fundamental human rights of all citizens.

Mukose has also been instructed to appear before the commission to defend himself within 14 days of receipt of the letter.

Workers not paid

Over 200 teachers and nurses in the district have allegedly gone without salaries for the past six months.

Early last month, 100 road workers stormed Bugweri district offices, protesting non payment of their wages by the district authorities for five months.

The protests paralysed business at the district headquarters for over three hours and Mukose reportedly left office, leaving them outside.

Rugaju said the delay to clear employees' salaries on time had affected service delivery.

He said there is need by the relevant ministry to set up a committee to carry out investigations as to why some employees had not received salaries for the past few months.

"There is a belief that some employees are deliberately being blocked from receiving their salaries because they are opposed to the top leadership at the district," Rugaju said.