Rukungiri- The head teacher of Kagunga Seed Secondary School, Mr Patrick Bamukunda Batukura, has been suspended from office over alleged misconduct and failure to account for school funds.

Rukungiri municipal town clerk Andrew Kibwota in an April 16, letter this newspaper has seen wrote that Mr Batukura committed cheques of government funds sent to run the school to private money lenders to purportedly get more money for the institution.

It is alleged that he used to get quick loans at 10 per cent, 50 per cent and issue post-dated cheques in the name of the school to the money lenders thus making illegal financial commitments on behalf of the school.
Mr Kibwota says he sent internal auditors to the school to verify the claims and they came up with the findings.

“From the details of the report, it is alleged that you (Bamukunda) made illegal financial commitments on behalf of the school, committed government postdated cheques to private money lenders as security to get personal loans,” the letter reads in part.

But Mr Batukura in an interview with Daily Monitor on Sunday, claimed he was never given a fair hearing.

“I appealed against the suspension at the ministry of Education,” he said. Daily Monitor has also obtained a copy of the April 28, letter signed by Mr Benson Baritazale Kule for Permanent Secretary (PS) ministry of Education asking the school board of governors to give Mr Batukura a fair hearing.

The PS also asked the board to refer the matter to the Disciplinary Departmental Committee of the Education ministry if they find it necessary.
“Since you noted that the head teacher’s behaviour and conduct was prejudicial to service delivery you should have informed this office… The preliminary findings of your Internal auditor should have been brought to the attention of the board and or the ministry of Education,” the letter addressed to the town clerk reads in part.

Mr Kibwota, however, said Mr Batukura should present to his office his clear position about the allegations against him and explanations as to why further disciplinary procedures should not be taken against him.

The suspension follows a series of meetings between the council officials with the head teacher, staff, and other stakeholders of the school in pursuant to complaints raised to the municipal education and town clerk’s office.

source:http://www.monitor.co.ug