Nwoya district chairman Patrick Okello Oryema has ordered for the closure of a private Nursery school which has opened on a disputed piece of land on which St Luke Teo- Olam chapel in Anaka sub county stands.
Two weeks ago, the parish priest of St Luke Teo- Olam chapel, Reverent father Santo Onen announced the closure of the church over a land wrangle between the church and the family of one, Venancio Ajura who are claiming ownership of the land.
St Luke Teo- Olam, a government owned primary school also sit on the same piece of land as the church.
The family of Ajura has consistently accused the Catholic Church of encroaching on their property. The family claims the land was given to the church in the 1990’s by someone who was not an owner of the land in question. At the time, the family of Ajura states, they were displaced in Karuma in then Masindi district because of war in northern Uganda.
But Nwoya district Chairman Patrick Okello Oryema told Acholi Times in an interview on Tuesday that he had directed the office of the District Education Officer (DEO) to take up the matter and ensure the private nursery school is closed with immediate effect.
“The private schools’ continuous operation in the same compound with the church is causing too much confusion that can’t be tolerated, “Oryema said. He did not elaborate what he meant by confusion.
Nwoya DEO Richard Irwenyo confirmed the development and said his office will convene a meeting with the Ajura family members before the second school term opens.
Irwenyo further said the operation of the school is still illegal since the proprietors never consulted his office.
“Before a school opens there are procedures to follow in the office of the Inspector to vet whether the school meets the required standard which were not done with this said school,’’ Irwenyo explained.
