Church of Uganda bishops from dioceses across Buganda have criticised the government over the arrest of headteachers in connection with school feeding arrangements, warning that continued interference could force the Church to reconsider how its schools are managed.The bishops said they were concerned about what they described as government interference in the administration of Church-founded schools, particularly the arrest of school heads over the collection of lunch fees from learners.While acknowledging the government’s contribution to Church-founded schools through infrastructure development, teacher training and provision of learning materials, the bishops said arresting headteachers over decisions related to school meals was unacceptable.The concern was raised during a meeting of bishops at Namirembe Guest House, chaired by the Bishop of Mukono, the Rt Rev Enos Kitto Kagodo.
The bishops called on the government to respect decisions reached by management committees of Church-founded schools and to stop arresting headteachers over school feeding arrangements. They argued that such actions undermine the authority of school leaders in the eyes of learners, teachers and parents.“The Church cannot tolerate the continued arrest of headteachers over decisions that have been agreed upon by school management committees and parents,” the bishops said.The bishops warned that if the government continues to disregard decisions made by school management structures, the Church could consider taking back direct management of its schools in Buganda.The statement was delivered on behalf of the bishops by the Secretary of the Council of Bishops in Buganda and Bishop of West Buganda, the Rt Rev Gaster Nsereko.
The bishops also defended arrangements for providing lunch to learners, describing school meals as an important humanitarian concern that enables children to concentrate better on their studies.“There is no reason for government to stop arrangements for providing lunch to learners when such arrangements have been agreed upon by school management committees and parents,” they said.They urged the government and school administrators to settle disagreements through dialogue instead of arrests, while calling for the autonomy, authority and dignity of Church-founded schools to be respected.
