By BM
What was supposed to be the beginning of a joyful school holiday turned into a harrowing ordeal for two pupils of Pamvil Primary School in Nsangi, after they were allegedly locked inside the school premises for days without food or water.
The school’s director, Pamela Ntalo, 46, was arrested on Friday after police found the children confined at the school well past the official end of term on August 9.
According to police reports, she refused to release the pupils until their parents cleared an outstanding balance of Shs 1.5 million.
Despite multiple pleas from the distressed parents, who assured the school they would settle the debt before the next term, Ntalo allegedly responded with an ultimatum: Shs 20,000 per child for each day they remained at the school in addition to the existing balance.
The children, aged 10 and 11, had remained locked inside a classroom without supervision, food, or water for over four days after other pupils had left for the holiday break.
The parents say they visited the school several times, begging for their children’s release and promising to pay the fees later, but were continually rebuffed.
“They looked tired, thirsty, and scared,” said one parent who declined to be named. “We kept asking the director to let them go home. We explained we would pay everything soon, but she just refused and even threatened to charge more money.”
Alarmed by the parents’ report, the Child and Family Protection Unit (CFPU) at Nsangi Police Division dispatched officers to investigate.
When officers arrived, they were reportedly met with hostility from school staff, including two teachers who allegedly obstructed the intervention.
The director is said to have defied police orders to release the children, forcing the officers to carry out a rescue operation.
The pupils were found dehydrated and visibly distressed, leading police to immediately provide emergency care.
Two teachers were arrested alongside Pamela Ntalo for their role in obstructing police efforts.
“This was an inhumane act. No child should be used as collateral in a financial dispute,” said SSP Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson. “Children have rights that must be protected. We have rescued the victims, and investigations are ongoing.”
Police have registered a case of unlawful confinement and child endangerment and are recording statements from the suspects and witnesses.
The incident has sparked outrage in Nsangi and surrounding communities, with parents expressing deep concern over the welfare of their children in private schools.
Local leaders have called for stricter oversight and enforcement of child protection laws in educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has reportedly been notified and is expected to conduct an independent investigation into the school’s practices.
The children have been placed under the care of child welfare services and are receiving counseling to help them recover from the trauma. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
