Gulu High students strike over power outage, poor food

Senior four candidates of Gulu High last night held a violent strike in the school over power shortage, poor quality of food and lack of water supply in the school.

The Uganda National Students Association (UNSA) representative, Quinto Odokonyero said the strike started at around 10:00 pm led by senior four students who were later joined by other students.

Some window panes were smashed and wall fence brought down by the rowdy students before intervention of police.

No arrest was has been made by the police.

” But we are working with the administration of the school to identify the ring leaders so we charge them for destruction of school property,” said Aswa region police spokesman Jimmy Patrick Okema

Saul Lubega the school’s  head teacher said the situation in the school had been brought under control with the Uganda Certificates of Examination (UCE) which started today commencing normally.

Mr Lubega, however, refused to commend on the issues which are suspected to have caused the strike saying he only gives information to education ministry officials.

‘‘I only give comment to officials from the ministry of education that is all I have to say,’’ Mr Lubega told journalists.

The chairperson UNSA in Gulu district, Sunday Onekalit said a meeting will be convened with students and leaders of the school to ensure the students’ grievances are addressed and not strike takes place again.

‘‘We heard of what happened last night and convened a meeting with students’ leaders of the school. We will talk to the administration to ensure all is settled peacefully,’’ Onekalit said.

Mr Onekalit condemned the strike.

The school was peaceful and UCE exams was going on normally when our reporter visited the school today morning.

Gulu High has a student population of over 500 students.

Over 100 students are expected to sit for this year’s UCE exams.

In 2013 the school had a population of 1,400 students.