Jinja District Local Government and the Kiira Regional Police Command have launched investigations into allegations that the headteacher of St. Gonzaga Senior Secondary School enabled the sexual exploitation of female students by a Senior Six student. The headteacher, Anna Nanziri, is accused of allowing the 20-year-old student to select female students and take them to her home in Njeru Municipality, Buikwe District, where they allegedly spent weekends with him.
According to complaints received by district authorities, the student would allegedly select two girls on Friday evenings, after which Nanziri would reportedly drive them to her home in Njeru. The girls allegedly remained at the house throughout the weekend and returned to school on Monday. The nature of the relationship between Nanziri and the student remains unclear.
However, some of the girls and teachers interviewed during the preliminary inquiries reportedly described the two as being unusually close at school. Nanziri is also alleged to have left the house keys with the student before travelling to Kampala, leaving him at the house with the girls. District authorities say at least eight girls have so far come forward with related complaints.
According to accounts presented to investigators, the practice initially involved the student allegedly inviting girls to spend weekends at Nanziri’s home. However, complaints of sexual exploitation later emerged, with some girls allegedly saying the student pressured them into having sex by claiming that he suffered from a condition that could only be cured through sexual intercourse.
Some of the girls also allege that those who complained were threatened with suspension or expulsion, creating fear among students and discouraging others from reporting the alleged abuse. One of the girls reportedly told her mother about her experience earlier this month. The mother initially did not act on the complaint, but later contacted authorities after receiving a similar allegation from another parent.
The girls have asked authorities for psychological support, saying the alleged experiences have left them traumatised and suffering nightmares. They have also called for justice and urged investigators to handle the matter sensitively to protect the victims, many of whom are reportedly still afraid to speak openly.
The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Jinja District, Hussein Malunda, said the district probation team has been interacting with the girls who have reported complaints. Malunda said the findings from the team’s engagements had been handed over to police, which is conducting further investigations before the matter is referred to the courts.
Kiira Regional Police spokesperson James Mubi declined to comment on the case, saying the investigation was still at an early stage. However, a detective familiar with the investigation said the girls, Nanziri and other relevant parties, had recorded statements with police. The detective said the file had subsequently been forwarded to the State Attorney for perusal.
Nanziri hasn’t yet commented on the ongoing investigations and allegations leveled against her. Investigations are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the allegations and determine whether any offences were committed-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
