The leadership of Teso Progressive Secondary School (TEPA) in Ngora District is under intense scrutiny following revelations that the institution has been illegally operating a boarding section for more than five years.
The scandal has erupted just days after a tragic shooting incident at the school claimed the life of Gabriel Okiror, a Senior Three student who was residing in the unlawful boarding facility.
The school, registered under REG No PSS/T/83 and UNEB Centre No. U3499, is officially licensed to operate only as a day school.
However, investigations reveal that the administration has been hosting boarding students in violation of Ministry of Education and Sports regulations, raising troubling questions about oversight, safety, and accountability.
The Ngora District Inspector of Schools (DIS), Mr. George Okot, confirmed that TEPA has been operating its boarding section without legal authorization.
He revealed that the issue first came to light earlier this year during routine monitoring exercises.
“In April, we convened a meeting with the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and other stakeholders to warn all schools that were illegally running boarding sections,” Okot stated.
“Only government schools like Ngora High School have completed the legal process to operate boarding facilities. None of the private schools, including TEPA, have obtained the required approval.”
Despite repeated warnings, more than ten of the district’s seventeen private secondary schools have continued to operate boarding facilities illegally.
Okot emphasized that these schools have ignored directives to align with ministry standards, exposing hundreds of learners to unmanaged risks.
The family of the deceased student is now demanding clarity and accountability from the school’s administration.
According to Mr. Simon Erone, the brother to Okiror’s father, the family had no knowledge that the school was operating an unauthorized boarding section.
Erone disclosed that Okiror had already completed his examinations and was at home when the school administration reached out, claiming that he still had two pending papers to write.
“We have been in constant communication with the school, and they never reported any discipline issues involving Okiror,” he said.
He questioned the school’s decision to involve law enforcement: “If the child was truly undisciplined, why did they call in the police and the military? Why didn’t they handle the matter internally first?”
Erone said the family only learned through community members, and now through investigations, that TEPA was operating its boarding wing illegally.
“We only hear adverts on the radio, but we had no idea the administration was this weak and in violation of important regulations,” he added.
On 18 November 2025, TEPA Director Mr. John Omugur contacted the police to report a disciplinary matter involving Gabriel, who was accused of hiding a fellow student’s box, belonging to Jasper Odong.
Police records indicate that Okiror had previously been suspended over theft allegations and had only returned to school on the day of the incident.
At 10:09 AM, Police Constable No. 74632 Sylvia Ijobu, armed with an AK-47 rifle, arrived at the school accompanied by Private RA/293096 Agnes Atim, a UPDF soldier who had been deployed in the district as part of UNEB exam security.
Upon arrival, the officers reportedly met strong resistance from Okiror.
According to the police incident report, a scuffle ensued during which Pte. Atim forcefully grabbed the rifle from PC Ijobu and discharged it, firing a bullet that struck Gabriel in the chest, killing him instantly.
The same bullet injured Mr. Benard Majja, an A-Level Geography teacher, who was rushed to Mbale Regional Referral Hospital in critical condition.
The tragedy has intensified scrutiny of TEPA’s unauthorized boarding section.
Education officials now argue that operating unregistered accommodation exposes students to unregulated living conditions, inadequate supervision, and increased security vulnerabilities.
DIS Okot explained that legalizing a boarding section involves a rigorous process that assesses: Student accommodation safety standards, Fire and emergency preparedness, Staffing capacity and nighttime supervision, Sanitation and feeding facilities, Security protocols, and Governance and administrative readiness
“Schools that bypass this process put children at serious risk,” Okot warned. “This incident highlights the very dangers we have been trying to prevent.”
Parents and community members have expressed outrage, accusing the school of negligence, mismanagement, and gross violation of education regulations.
Some are calling for: Immediate closure of the illegal boarding facility, Suspension or dismissal of school administrators found culpable, A full forensic investigation into the events leading to Gabriel’s death, Compensation for the family, and Stronger enforcement of education standards across the district
Local leaders are also demanding answers from both the UPDF and the Uganda Police Force regarding how an armed soldier came to handle a police gun during a civilian arrest, resulting in the fatal shooting of a student.
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