Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals has issued a clarification over allegations surrounding students' school fees and purported forged bank slips. The institute's Public Relations Officer, Sulaina Luwano, made the statement in response to claims raised in Parliament by Hon. John Musila, the Bubulo East County Member of Parliament. The dispute involves Musila's daughter and other students allegedly involved in a scheme where money intended for school fees was not deposited, and forged payment slips were presented instead.
According to Luwano, the problem emerged after some students succumbed to peer pressure and began producing forged bank slips instead of depositing the money given to them by their parents for school fees. The students formed a group and continued with the practice until the school discovered discrepancies in their payment records. Luwano said the institute began gathering information from students after detecting the irregularities, leading to the arrest of a person suspected of facilitating the students in obtaining the purportedly forged slips.
The institute previously stated that the slips were allegedly made in the name of a fictitious Stanbic Bank agent identified as Mwesigwa Joshua. Luwano said the institute summoned parents to explain the situation and discuss how the outstanding fees could be addressed. The institution's immediate concern was that students had continued attending classes despite the school allegedly not receiving the money their parents believed had been paid.
Luwano said the institute's request was for parents to pay the school fees because the affected students had continued studying while their accounts remained unpaid. She claimed that Musila's wife attended one of the meetings with the institution and was briefed about the matter. However, the dispute escalated after Musila allegedly insisted that his daughter be allowed to return to school while the police investigation was still ongoing.
The institute declined to readmit the student under the circumstances, arguing that the matter had already been referred to law enforcement. Luwano alleged that instead of continuing discussions with the institution, Musila took the matter to Parliament. The institute has disputed the MP's characterization of the matter as fraudulent conduct by the school and maintains that it acted after discovering alleged irregularities involving students' fee payments.
Luwano accused Musila of using his position to damage the institution's reputation, a claim that remains disputed. The institute says police have been involved in the matter since the alleged forgery was discovered. According to the institution's earlier statement, law enforcement had arrested the alleged principal orchestrator of the scheme after he reportedly evaded arrest for about two months.
The institute is expected to provide further details during a press conference scheduled for later on its premises in Iganga. Luwano said journalists will be invited to hear the institution's detailed account and obtain further clarification regarding the allegations raised in Parliament. The institute also said it appreciates the response of Minister of State for Education and Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang and the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament in handling the matter.
Key points
- The Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals in Uganda has clarified its position on a student fee dispute and allegations of forged bank slips.
- The institute's management has disputed claims raised in Parliament by Hon. John Musila, the Bubulo East County Member of Parliament.
- The institution has involved police in the matter and plans to hold a press conference to provide further details.
