RUBANDA — At least 31 school-going children have been arrested in Rubanda District for failing to report to school on the opening day of the new school term.
The arrests were made during a go-back-to-school operation led by the Rubanda District Resident District Commissioner’s (RDC) office, headed by Deputy RDC Muhuta Akintore and his Assistant, Martin Turyagyenda, in collaboration with the Officer in Charge (OC) of Hamurwa Police Post.
According to district officials, the children were found harvesting Irish potatoes in wetlands in Hamurwa Sub-county instead of reporting to school. Speaking to our reporter by phone, Deputy RDC Muhuta Akintore said the children were being held at Hamurwa Police Post and would be released in the evening. He said the operation was conducted in two major wetlands.
In “Karukara Wetland”, located in Karukara Ward, the children were reportedly from Shebeya Parish and Karukara Ward.
Others were found in Kashongati Wetland, where they had reportedly come from Ruhonwa and Mpungu parishes. Deputy RDC Muhuta said the operation is part of efforts to ensure that all school-going children return to school as directed by the government.
He vowed that the district authorities would continue enforcing the go-back-to-school campaign and warned parents against keeping children out of school.
Muhuta also said authorities would not entertain excuses from parents or children, including claims that they were looking for money to buy scholastic materials.
He further questioned where the children had been during the school holidays, urging parents to ensure their children report to school on time.
The Deputy RDC said the operation will continue across the district to identify children who have not returned to school and ensure that they resume their education.
