Rackoko school risks missing UNEB exams as ccounts remain blocked

26 September 2026, 9:14 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

Rackoko Comprehensive Secondary School in Pader District risks disruptions to its preparations for national examinations after its school accounts were blocked, with teachers warning that the financial crisis could affect the school’s ability to meet its obligations as 111 candidates prepare for their 2026 Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) examinations.

Catherine Omach, one of the teachers, questioned how the school would effectively prepare and register candidates for the upcoming assessment period when the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) account, supported by parents, remains inaccessible.

She said district leaders visiting the school are expected to monitor effective teaching and learning, yet the financial restrictions are making it difficult for the school to meet some of the requirements needed as it approaches the UNEB assessment period.

Omach said the PTA account is also used for SESEMAT-related funds and questioned how quickly the district could intervene to ensure the students are properly registered and prepared for the examinations.

“The school is now approaching the assessment period by UNEB, but the PTA account that is supported by the parents is still blocked. That is where the SESEMAT money is paid. How possible is it that the district is going to make this quick to register the students?” Omach asked.

The concern is particularly significant for the school’s 111 candidates expected to sit the 2026 national examinations.

Peter Otto, another teacher, said the meeting should serve as an “eye opener” to the authorities because examinations are drawing closer.

He said teachers could find themselves unable to adequately respond to parents who have already paid money for their children’s education if the financial challenges remain unresolved.

Francis Okec Komakech, the Staff Welfare Master, said the account restrictions had affected the school’s ability to operate, particularly because some non-government payroll teachers depend on payments from school resources.

He said the situation had become more difficult after the school’s accounts were blocked, leaving the school unable to comfortably meet some of its obligations.

The staff had earlier written to district leaders asking for an emergency meeting to address the challenges affecting the smooth running of the school.

Among the issues raised was the freezing of school accounts, which staff said had created serious financial challenges for the administration and affected the school’s day-to-day operations.

A July 24, 2026 letter from the Office of the President recommended an urgent intervention concerning withdrawals from government funds intended for Rackoko Senior Secondary School.

The letter, signed by Livingstone K. Luutu, Special Presidential Assistant (Mobilization), followed a petition by ABC Children’s Aid alleging corruption and misuse of government funds and grants intended for the school.

The allegations in the petition were not established in the letter as findings of wrongdoing. The Office of the President requested that withdrawals from the school account at DFCU Bank’s Pader branch be blocked pending further action and said the matter had been forwarded to the Head of State House Anti-Corruption Unit.

Joyce Anek Ongee, who represented the Chief Administrative Officer at the meeting, said the district was aware of the challenges and had been engaging relevant authorities over the issues affecting the school.

In her closing remarks, Ongee proposed that the CAO and DEO temporarily perform the functions of the Board of Governors and become signatories to the school account while the ownership dispute is being investigated.

She said the interim arrangement could enable the school to respond more quickly to urgent issues arising from its operations.

Esther Lalam, the councillor representing Lunyiri Sub-county, who represented the LCV chairperson at the meeting, also called for urgent action to restore access to the school’s accounts.

Using the example of medical care, Lalam said the CAO should provide “life support” to the school by helping ensure that the accounts become accessible so the institution can address its immediate needs.

The remarks came as teachers warned that the continued blockage of the accounts could affect the school’s preparations for the 2026 UNEB examinations.

Francis Olwoch the district education officer said government has responsibilities to provide established staff, statutory grants and educational materials, among other obligations, while schools can also receive voluntary contributions from parents and well-wishers for urgent needs where permitted.

The official suggested that the school should hold an emergency meeting with parents to discuss urgent requirements and find ways of addressing immediate needs.

The head teacher, Walter Opiyo, said the school currently has 358 learners and 22 government payroll staff, comprising 17 teachers and five non-teaching staff.

He said the school has staffing gaps in Biology, Chemistry, CRE and ICT, as well as a senior teacher position.

Opiyo said the school was optimistic about increasing enrolment to about 500 learners but acknowledged that the governance and financial challenges were affecting its operations.

Teachers are now calling for district and ministry authorities to urgently resolve the account restrictions and wider governance dispute to ensure the school can continue providing learning and prepare candidates for the national examinations.