Parents at Wera Technical Institute in Amuria district forcefully removed the school’s Principal Charles Adilo, citing alleged mismanagement of funds. He was also accused of threatening students and teachers.
A gathering of concerned parents convened at the school, demanding accountability from Principal Adilo regarding funds collected to purchase a school bus since 2016.
The parents have contributed 50,000 shillings each year per student, raising a total of 114 million shillings intended for the purchase of a school bus.
However, upon reviewing the account, parents discovered only 68 million shillings. The Principal allegedly failed to account for forty six million shillings. The discovery prompted the parents to demand an urgent meeting with the school’s Board of Governors (BOG).
The administration and the school’s Board of Governors reportedly refused to attend the meeting.The parents further learned that the school is burdened with debts, including an outstanding amount of 42 million shillings owed to Impressive Group of Companies Limited.
The debts were reportedly accrued from food supplied to the school since last year. The failure to clear this debt has raised questions about the school’s financial integrity.
Allegations against Principal Adilo have escalated, with claims that he has issued death threats to students and teachers.
Reports suggest that he has brought armed police officers onto the school premises, further alarming parents and staff alike.
Adilo was also accused of unlawfully dismissing ten technical staff members, including John Chris Eola, Samuel Asinge, Thomas Omus, Emmanuel Oleimo, Calvin Otim, Patric Eroko, Jesca Asinai, Jesca Christine Kiyai, Magi Aumo, and Veronica About, without the knowledge or consent of the Board of Governors.Basil Okwi, a parent and former board member from 2003 to 2017, expressed his dismay.
“From the time the school began, we have never experienced such mismanagement of funds without proper accountability. We have resolved to remove him from the school and reinstate all teachers who were dismissed without due process and without the knowledge of the BOG.”
Richard Erikado, another concerned parent, said the school is in its dying stage.“Which is why parents have decided to take decisive measures to ensure that those who cannot provide clear accountability are removed.”
Parents have decided to petition various authorities, including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Local Government, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), to alert them of their intention to have Principal Adilo removed from the institution.
Parents voiced further concerns about Adilo’s absence from the school.
They said that since the school year began, he has only been in the office twice.
David Edigu, a co-founder of the institution, lamented, “It’s painful that after all we went through to build this school from 1992 to 1996, it is now dying in the hands of those whom the government entrusted to run it.
We have concluded that Adilo must leave the school, as his sporadic presence jeopardizes our students’ academic futures.”Michaeal Eregu, a retired former District Education Officer (DEO) for Serere, advised parents to remain calm and avoid any violent protests.
“Let no parent touch anything that belongs to Adilo; he could use that as an excuse to seek legal action,” he cautioned.
Eregu further suggested that Adilo should be escorted by security personnel to collect his belongings, but should not be allowed to enter the office to ensure the safety of the aggrieved parents.
Geoffrey Ewalu, the district councilor for Aswamuk Sub-County, urged parents to document their complaints thoroughly and submit them to reliable authorities for compliance.
He called upon district leadership to initiate an audit of the school’s administration to ascertain the truth behind the allegations.
Jotham Odeke, the Vice Chairperson of the BOG, urged parents to remain calm.
“Any funds found to be missing will be recovered from those responsible,” he said.In a response to the allegations, Adilo acknowledged using funds intended for the bus to support various school activities but claimed he has been repaying the borrowed amounts.
“Out of 84 million shillings on the account in 2023, I borrowed 45 million and refunded it, and in 2024, I borrowed another 39 million,” he explained.
He admitted that 40 million shillings remains unaccounted for, which he claims was used to pay teachers and settle debts with suppliers.
Adilo defended his limited presence at the school, stating, “I operate from Lira due to threats to my life; I cannot stay within the school compound or the Amuria district.”
He urged those threatening his position to reconsider, asserting that he is a government employee and a qualified professional.
“I am here to manage the school, and any threats to remove me are unfounded,” he concluded. URN