JINJA – Human rights advocates are raising alarm after Sarah Namukisa, a final-year student at Jinja Medical Laboratory Training School and a new mother, was summoned by Jinja Police today. The summons follows a complaint of forgery filed by the school’s Principal, Moses Ibwala, in a move described as retaliatory and unjust.
This latest development stems from a contentious history between Namukisa and the school administration. In May of this year, Namukisa was abruptly discontinued from her studies by Principal Ibwala for the stated reason of becoming pregnant. This action was widely condemned as discriminatory and unlawful.
According to Freedom Hive Uganda (FHU), a local rights organization, the police summons represents a clear escalation and an attempt to persecute the young mother. “This latest action, instigated by the same Principal, raises serious concerns of retaliation, abuse of authority, and gender-based persecution,” the organization stated.
The case against Namukisa appears to be part of a broader pattern of alleged misconduct by Principal Ibwala. Over recent months, FHU has documented multiple testimonies from current and former students accusing him of serious violations.
These allegations include:
· The arbitrary suspension of pregnant students.
· Systemic gender-based discrimination and intimidation.
· Extortion and abuse of power.
· Discriminatory treatment of students with disabilities. In one cited instance, Mr. Ibwala allegedly refused to allow a female student with a prosthetic leg to wear trousers, a reasonable accommodation for her disability.
“These actions represent grave violations of human rights, particularly targeting young women and vulnerable learners,” Freedom Hive Uganda emphasized.
The organization has issued urgent calls for intervention. They have urged the Jinja Police to halt any legal processes being used to “unjustly harass” Sarah Namukisa and to ensure that due process is followed without bias.
Furthermore, they are calling upon the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Health to launch an immediate, independent investigation into the leadership and operations of the Jinja Medical Laboratory Training School.
“FHU stands with Sarah Namukisa and every student who has been silenced, expelled, or mistreated under repressive and discriminatory leadership,” the organization affirmed. “Education is a right protected by law and by our shared human dignity. It must never be denied on the basis of gender, pregnancy, or disability.”
Attempts to reach Principal Moses Ibwala for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publishing. The Jinja Police Station has not yet released a statement regarding the nature of the forgery complaint.
