Luweero, Uganda – Forty (40) students from Lango have been left devastated after being misled by Mater Ecclesiae Nurses and Midwifery Training School in Kasana, Luweero District.
The students were promised full scholarships to pursue medical courses, only to later be hit with demands for exorbitant tuition fees, jeopardizing their education and futures.
In June 2023, the institution, through local priests in Lango, recruited the students, claiming the school was mission-based and funded by foreign donors.
They were assured they would study for free after paying an initial UGX 700,000 for the first semester. However, the students allege that the administration reneged on this promise, later demanding full tuition fees for all semesters.
Lydia Apio, one of the affected students, revealed that they joined the school with the understanding that no further fees would be required.
“We were told it was fully funded, but now they want us to pay over UGX 4 million for past semesters and 60% of this semester’s fees to continue. It’s heartbreaking,” she said.
From the beginning, the students faced challenges. In their first semester, they were unable to sit exams because, according to the administration, the institution lacked the necessary requirements to conduct them.
Apio said, “They promised we would do the exams in the second semester.”
The situation worsened when the institution’s bursar, Sister Rachael Akullu, demanded full payment of tuition fees, totaling over UGX 5 million for the students.
Apio and her colleagues claim that their belongings were confiscated, and they were evicted from the hostels.
“The bursar was rough on us and refused to listen. We had to report the matter to the police,” said another student, Ejang Oliver.
Oliver added that the students are now living in fear at the institution.
“The police intervened and allowed us back, but the bursar’s hostility remains. We feel unsafe,” she said.
Adding to their woes, the institution is reportedly withholding the students’ Senior 4 results slips. While the school promised to return these documents by Monday, January 27, 2025, the students remain skeptical.
Ogwal Fidely, another student, returned to his parent’s home in Dokolo District after the demands for tuition fees became insurmountable.
“We believed the priests who told us about this school. We thought it was legitimate, but they’ve ruined our future,” he lamented.
Parents, too, are feeling the strain. One parent, who requested anonymity, said, “I’ve spent so much money to support my child. Now, this betrayal has ruined her dreams.”
Efforts to reach the school’s administration for comments have been futile. Calls to Sister Rachael Akullu, the bursar, were cut short when she realized a journalist was calling. Sister Theresa Ekano Opio, the principal, has also failed to respond to calls.
The students reported the matter to police, who have promised to recover their confiscated belongings. However, the broader issue of tuition demands remains unresolved, leaving the students in limbo.
The affected students and their families are calling for immediate intervention from the government and education authorities. They demand accountability from the institution and assistance to continue their education elsewhere.
“This situation requires urgent action. Institutions cannot be allowed to exploit vulnerable students,” said one parent.
The plight of these students underscores the need for stringent regulations to protect vulnerable learners from exploitation by unscrupulous institutions. For now, their dreams hang in the balance, awaiting justice and a chance to rebuild their futures.
This Stupidity of framing news with peoples name should stop with immediate effect , and my name should be removed because I am not going to tolerate this!!!