Stop defiling schoolgirls or face public castration, Kotido RDC warns

7 April 2025, 1:08 pm

By Stanly Ebele

The Kotido Resident District Commissioner, Charles Ichogor, has vowed to publicly castrate teachers who are found guilty of defiling schoolgirls.

This follows alarming reports indicating a rise in the number of school-going girls dropping out of school due to pregnancies.

Ichogor stated that some teachers are responsible for causing pregnancies among primary and secondary school girls.

He made the comments during the pass-out ceremony of 700 student patriots held at Lomukura Playground on Friday, which was presided over by the Commandant of the School of Artillery and Air Defence, Col. Rogers Dhikusooka Kitwala.

Ichogor, strongly condemned teachers who engage in inappropriate relationships with their students.

He referenced an incident involving Jackson Bushendich, the headteacher of Lotuke Seed Secondary School in Abim district, who was accused of impregnating one of his students in 2024. However, the investigation faced challenges after the student, believed to be from Kapchorwa, reportedly disappeared from the school without a trace.

Ichogor stated that any teacher found guilty of sexually abusing students would be dismissed from their position and face severe consequences. He urged teachers to comply with the professional code of conduct and refrain from such actions, warning that those who do not would face serious legal repercussions.

He also encouraged girls to report any instances of sexual assault or defilement by teachers directly to his office for immediate action.

The ceremony also marked the completion of a three-week patriotism training programme organised by the Office of the President under the Patriotism Secretariat.

Jimmy Owilli, the deputy headteacher of Kotido SS and District Coordinator of Patriotism in Kotido district, stated that the participants in the training programme were drawn from six secondary schools: Kacheri SS, Panyangara SS, Panyangara Seed Secondary School, Kotido Parents School, Kotido Technical Institute, Nakapelimoru Army Boarding School, and Kotido SS.

The training specifically targeted Senior 1 (S1) and Senior 5 (S5) students.

He explained that the programme focused on equipping students with skills in basic military drills, patriotism, discipline, moral values, and environmental awareness.

Owilli noted that patriotism training has helped to improve discipline and moral values among students, leading to a reduction in strikes, theft, and vandalism in schools.

Citing Kotido SS, which was once known for violent strikes, alcohol consumption, and other forms of indiscipline, Owilli highlighted that such behaviour has significantly decreased thanks to the influence of patriotism.

He challenged the trainees to remain disciplined and hardworking in order to excel in all their endeavours.

In response to the RDC’s statement, the Director of Studies (DOS) at Panyangara SS, Simon Achuma, pointed out that many female students were dropping out each term for various reasons, including, but not limited to, pregnancy.

He explained that the girls often become pregnant during the holidays, rather than during school time.