Police in Mukono have rescued a parent and his Primary Seven (P7) leaver daughter, after they were illegally detained by administrators of a school in the municipality over fees balances.
Allegations suggest that authorities at Pherry Junior School detained at least eight P7 leavers on intention to force their parents to clear school dues following the conclusion of Primary Leaving Examinations (PLE) on November 9 and since then, parents started picking up their children even as some remained in the school’s custody.
Yesterday, 30-year-old Joseph Kasirye narrated circumstances leading to his detention as he had gone to claim his 13-year-old daughter allegedly held at Pherry Junior School.
Kasirye said, on visitation day, they were notified to pay fees balance, but he informed the school management that he was currently unable to clear all the balance of Shs2m at once.
He says he offered to leave behind his motorcycle as security in addition to signing a commitment letter, which they accepted but to his dismay when he turned up to pick up his daughter after examinations, they denied him a chance to meet the girl saying he will only do so after clearing the fees balance.
Kasirye says he relentlessly tried to look for the money until Tuesday morning when he was invited to sign another agreement with the school but immediately after entering the school gate, the gateman- on the orders of the head teacher and director locked him inside.
Swift interventions were made by different leaders, Mukono Division Police Commander Edirisa Kyeyune would later order school director Sylvia Okita Nandutu to immediately release both Kasirye and his daughter.
Late Tuesday, the child and her father recorded a statement at police after they were released from the school.
