Police intensifies operation to recover Kotido SS stolen property

17 March 2025, 11:12 am

By Stanley Ebele

Kotido SS, with the help of the Uganda Police Force, conducted an operation on Saturday in Um-Um and neighboring villages to recover school property stolen by community members through students.

The recovered property included single-seater desks, tables, stools, chairs, and double-decker beds, among other items.

The items were reportedly stolen during the Christmas holidays, leading to shortages of desks and beds, particularly for Senior One and Senior Five students.

A student, whose name is withheld for fear of reprimand from the school administration, told Etoil A Karamoja that the school lost its furniture due to a security lapse and negligence.

When contacted, Emmanuel Lokedi, the head teacher of Kotido SS, confirmed that the operation on Saturday led to the recovery of 20 chairs, 12 beds, and several other pieces of furniture.

However, he noted that the school would not take legal action against the culprits to maintain harmony with the community.

Our reporter observed several pieces of recovered property being retrieved from various homes in Kanawat Trading Centre.

The Director of Studies, Paul Kibuka, stated that the school authorities have begun constructing a perimeter wall to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Students of Kotido SS have a history of vandalism. Last year, they destroyed and stole two CCTV cameras installed for security purposes and attempted to set fire to a boys’ dormitory.

They also cut the fence at various points to allow for free entry and exit from the school.

In response, the school imposed a fine of 100,000 Ugandan shillings on Senior Six and Senior Four students of 2024 for damaging the cameras.