Court reschedules case of Namilyango student barred from sitting UCE exams

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Mukono High Court has rescheduled the case in which a senior four student George William Eronda, sued Namilyango College for stopping him from sitting the Uganda Certificate of Education-UCE examinations in 2019 at the school.

In May 2019, Eronda petitioned court accusing the school for wrongfully excluding and denying him to sit for UCE exams at Namilyango College UNEB centre, after allegedly bullying of a fellow student.

He further accuses the school for transferring him from Namilyango College to Buddo SS UNEB centre without his consent, saying the move was irrational and illegal. He petitioned court to force the school change its decision before the exams started in October.

On October 11, 2019, Mukono High Court issued an injunction restraining the school from implementing its decision until determination of the application, but the injunction was disrespected.

Due to the absence of the defendants in court and later the outbreak of Covid-19, proceedings were delayed until August 2020 when it was arranged for first hearing to take place on November 22, 2021.

The two parties appeared for the session but the new Mukono High Court Resident Judge Florence Nakachwa did not turn up since she was attending an induction for the new judges in Kampala. The Deputy Registrar Mary Ikiti further rescheduled the trial for January 8, 2022.

In the petition, Eronda wants court to hold the school headteacher and his deputy liable for the losses he suffered since senior one. According to him, as a result of their conduct, Eronda has suffered special damages totaling to UGX 24,165,000. This is the amount spent on school fees, transport and pocket money, uniforms and other school requirements.

Eronda’s wretchedness started in April 2019, when their class went to Kasese for a Geography trip. While there, they were divided into two groups; A and B and he was appointed leader of group B. Unfortunately, he says the school held him liable for all the fights and acts of misconducts committed by students during the school tour.

In the same month, after registering with the school center number U0064 via UNEB portal for UCE Exams 2019 under index number U0064/046, the Head teacher Constantine Mpuuga and the Deputy Margret Kyambadde issued to him an exclusion letter over an offense of bullying a fellow student which he says is contrary to Namilyango College Rules and Regulations No.13.1 on teasing and bullying which requires the accused to make a defense before disciplinary committees.

The plaintiff’s lawyer Walter Bwiire says trials have been kept pending mainly due to the constant absence of the defense (school) but since it has been rescheduled, they have hope that victory will come to their side.

Kenneth Engolu, the lawyer representing Namilyango College declined to comment on allegations of skipping trial sessions.

Meanwhile, the father to the plaintiff, Wilberforce Wandera Eronda, says he is committed to support his son pursue the case in order to instill a sense of listening among school leaders handling their students in the “so-called big school”.

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