Pupil’s Double Tragedy: ‘Defiled’ by School Director, Denied Justice By Police

In a bizarre development, the Bulletin Media has learned with shock that police is helping a school director of two sister schools in Wobulenzi in Luweero to escape prosecution after purportedly defiling a pupil.

Aged 14 years, the victim was allegedly first sexually abused while she was studying in primary five and she is currently in senior one of the secondary sister schools owned by the suspect.  

Since she is still a minor, the suspect will likely face a much more serious case of aggravated defilement.

We have been briefed by reliable sources that much as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) tasked police in Luweero to arrest and take the suspect to court, some rogue elements there have since strangely directed the relatives of the victim to be the ones to do so.

The said disturbing act, in case it’s true, would be contrary to the ethical and professional standards that educators are expected to strictly live up to and observe. 

The same act, still if true, would run counter to the duty of care that the suspect owed both to the victim and her parents.

With that said and noted, the shameful act likely leaves the suspect in the twin danger of being prosecuted in court as well as reprimanded by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

Janet Museveni’s Stance on Protecting Female Learners

The current Minister of Education and Sports who is also the First Lady, Janet Museveni, has since 1986 when his husband first took power in Uganda and all through to the present time, been a sharp critic of teachers who exploit their female learners’ vulnerability and sexually abuse them.

For that matter, Maama Janet, as millions of her Ugandan admirers fondly refer to her, is likely expected to use the present case to exert her influence on the police and courts with the view to make them treat this case with the seriousness and urgency it deserves.

One of her current deputies, Dr J.C Muyingo is not by profession, but even an outstanding local schools investor and a devoted catholic who is therefore likely not to take this matter lying down. 

To make matters worse, the suspect identified as Abduwahid Ssali Kiggundu, is a Sheikh. Now, a Sheikh, in the context of Islam, is a superior teacher of the Islamic scriptures and good practises.

For that matter, the holder of that said title, is regarded in high esteem and he is therefore expected to serve as a good example to the rest of his lay Muslim brethren.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Student Safety

But as it stands, Sheikh Kiggundu faces the grave and shameful charges of purportedly defiling a girl who is even younger enough to be his own granddaughter.  

Data in our possession indicates that Kiggundu first introduced this girl to sexual harassment when she was merely a pupil in primary five of his school.

Located along Tweyanze Road in Wobulenzi town in Luweero district located in the Central region of the country, the suspect’s school is known as Ain Shams Nursery and Primary School and has a sister secondary school which goes also by the same title. 

The victim whose name we are not legally permitted to divulge, was at the time of the initial sexual abuse a learner in the boarding section of the above-mentioned primary school.

The fact that she was not under the care of her parents at that time, rendered the victim vulnerable and therefore a soft target of those who were nursing evil ideas of exploiting her sexual innocence.

The girl did not initially report the incident to her mother, fearing that the same would likely negatively impact the health of her parent who reportedly suffers from a combination of hypertension and diabetes.

It is understood that the initial incident occurred during the time of the prevalence of Covid 19 and while the girl was studying in primary five.

The Victim’s Call for Evidence

Prior to the purported commission of the said sexual act on his learner, Kiggundu had reportedly started by shamelessly directing her to squat, revealing her genitals to him.

The helpless girl’s violation would purportedly go on and on for two years even after the victim had transitioned to the secondary section of Kiggundu’s schools, prompting her in July this year to finally disclose her ordeal to her mother.

Alarmed, the mother contacted the headmaster of the primary school known as Ali who reportedly informed his boss, Sheikh Kiggundu about what was amiss.

But Kiggundu vehemently denied any act of sexual impropriety, terming his pupil’s allegations a ploy to damage his and his schools’ image, angrily invoking the name of Allah to punish his accusers.

But the girl passionately stood her ground, demanding to be subjected to a medical examination to conclusively prove her assertions.

A report was subsequently made at Wobulenzi Police Station by the victim’s mother and registered as Wobulenzi 29/22/07/2024, culminating in the registration of the case and recording of witnesses’ statements.

A Courageous Revelation

The girl was thereafter subjected to a medical test at Luweero government hospital whose results reportedly resonated with the girl’s grave assertions.

And Sheikh Abdulwalid Ssali Kiggundu himself was also on July 31, 2024, issued a police bond as the inquiries into the case continued. 

Despite that, dubious things have since been suspected of secretly unfolding, sparking the fear that the prosecution of this serious case could be sabotaged, causing a miscarriage of justice.

Luckily enough, our reporters are currently keeping their ears firmly on the ground as well as their eyes wide open to loudly hear and properly see the purported schemes going on and we undertake to expose one by all of them as they unfold, ensuring the ends of justice in this case are ultimately served.

Just kindly keep watching this space.