KISORO – Police have confirmed the arrest of 28 students of Saviour Secondary School in Kisoro District following a violent overnight strike that led to malicious property damage, theft of millions of shillings, and destruction of neighboring crops.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The incident occurred on April 21, 2026, at around 1:00 AM, escalating from a routine disciplinary check by the master on duty, who discovered several undisciplined students hiding in the dormitory during prep time.
Reliable sources report that on the evening of April 20, 2026, around 10:00 PM, the teacher on duty found six boys hiding inside the dormitory while other students were revising in their classrooms.
The six boys were escorted to the staffroom for punishment, which angered them so much that they began shouting at the top of their voices.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation, teachers locked the six students inside the staffroom and went outside to calm the rest of the student body. Instead of heeding the warning, the students turned violent, hurling stones at the teachers. Fearing for their lives, the teachers fled the school compound.
Taking advantage of the absence of supervision, the students went on a rampage, damaging school windows, the bursar’s office door, the canteen, tables, benches, desks, and neighbors’ banana plantations and sugarcane gardens.
The students stole UGX 1.8 million from the school canteen, UGX 3.7 million from the bursar’s office, food and drinks worth UGX 500,000, sugarcane valued at UGX 1.5 million from neighboring gardens, and an undisclosed number of school uniforms.
The students broke into the bursar’s office and canteen, stealing money, uniforms, food, and drinks before systematically breaking windows, doors, and furniture. Some students then moved to adjacent properties, cutting down banana plantations and consuming neighbors’ sugarcane.
Kigezi Police spokesperson, ASP Elly Maate, confirmed the incident, stating that police were notified by the headteacher after realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, and officers responded swiftly to calm the situation.
On Tuesday, April 22, 2026, a meeting was convened at the school, chaired by the District Police Commander (DPC) and attended by the District Education Officer (DEO), the Inspector of Schools, the District CID Officer (CI), school administrators, parents, and student leaders.
Following intelligence-led identification of the perpetrators, 28 students were positively identified and subsequently arrested. The remainder of the student body has been sent home, and the school has been closed until further notice, with a stern warning against future involvement in strike actions.
Police are holding Ariho Michael (S.4), Tumushime Evra (S.4), Natuwera Hillary (S.4), Irafasha Benabas (S.4), Nzeyimana Joshua (S.4), Muhozi Mathew (S.4), Habyaremye Richard (S.4), Hakizimana Banabasi (S.4), Turinayo Junior (S.4), and Shema Michael (S.3).
Others in custody include Ninsasira John (S.4), Iribawe Elisa (S.4), Ninzeyimana Richard (S.4), Atuhire Abel (S.4), Turinayo Silvan (S.4), Ndayumana Jordan (S.4), Turinayo Joram (S.4), Ssegawa Bashir (S.4), Nkurunziza Ronald (S.4), and Turinayo Julius (S.4).
The remaining suspects are Nzeyimana Joab (S.4), Twizera Joshua (S.4), Shakuru Moses (S.3), Ishakiye Bosco (S.6), Niyinkuru Rogers (S.4), Bulindangabo Michael (S.4), Mwiza Duke (S.4), and Kichoncho Pius (S.3).
Maate confirmed that all suspects are being held as inquiries continue and will be charged with malicious damage to property, office breaking, theft, and inciting violence once investigations are complete.
Police urge school administrations to handle student discipline with care and to involve parents and police early when unrest appears imminent.
About the Author
