NTARE SCHOOL ARRESTS: Headmaster Saul Rwampororo Speaks Out after Being ‘Released’

Ntare School headmaster Saul Rwampororo has spoken out following his arrest over allegations of causing financial loss to the government, saying he is cooperating with the Inspectorate of Government (IG) as investigators pursue a case involving UGX 110.8 million allegedly paid irregularly to a former school employee.

Rwampororo was arrested alongside former headteacher Jimmy Turyagenda and former office typist Peace Kebirungi over alleged abuse of office and causing financial loss. The three suspects have been transferred to Kampala and are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court, according to the IG.

In separate statements issued on October 28, the Inspectorate detailed the allegations, Ntare School’s Public Relations Office confirmed the headmaster’s return to work, and Rwampororo assured the school community that he was cooperating with investigators.

The Inspectorate of Government Explains Arrests

The IG said its Mbarara Regional Office had arrested the three individuals over alleged abuse of office and causing financial loss of UGX 110,877,900 to the government.

Announcing the arrests, the Inspectorate identified the suspects and outlined the alleged offences.

“The Headteacher of Ntare School, Mr. Saul Rwampororo, together with Mr. Jimmy Turyagenda, a former Headteacher; and Ms. Peace Kebirungi, a former Office Typist have today been arrested by the Inspectorate of Government, Mbarara Regional Office over alleged Abuse of Office and causing financial loss of UGX 110,877,900 to the Government of Uganda,” the statement said.

According to investigators, the allegations against Kebirungi date back to October 2015, when she allegedly submitted a false university admission letter to obtain study leave with pay.

Explaining how the alleged scheme began, the IG said Kebirungi used the document to secure permission to leave her duties while continuing to receive a salary.

“Ms. Kebirungi allegedly presented a false university admission letter in October 2015 to secure study leave with pay,” the statement said.

The Inspectorate alleged that Kebirungi subsequently stopped reporting for duty but remained on the government payroll until August 2024.

“She however absconded from duty but continued receiving salary from Government from September 2015 to August 2024,” the IG said.

Investigators further alleged that her prolonged absence was concealed by the two headteachers, with the alleged concealment continuing under Rwampororo after Turyagenda retired from public service.

Describing the alleged role of the two school administrators, the Inspectorate said the absence had gone unreported.

“The alleged absence was reportedly concealed by Mr. Turyagenda before his retirement from public service and by Mr. Rwampororo,” the statement said.

The IG also accused the two men of authorising payments to Kebirungi from school fees collected from students during the period she was allegedly not performing her duties.

Detailing the additional payments under investigation, the Inspectorate said the allowances were approved as if Kebirungi had continued working.

“During the same period, Mr. Turyagenda and Mr. Rwampororo allegedly authorised the payment of allowances to Ms. Kebirungi from the school fees paid as though she was performing her duties,” the statement said.

The allegations extended to Kebirungi’s retirement from public service. According to the IG, she applied for early retirement in 2023, and Rwampororo forwarded the application despite her alleged ineligibility.

Turning to the retirement process, the Inspectorate said the application had proceeded despite questions arising from her alleged absence from work.

“The investigation further indicates that in 2023, Ms. Kebirungi applied for early retirement from public service,” the statement said.

The IG added that Rwampororo had forwarded the application despite the alleged circumstances surrounding her employment.

“Her application was forwarded by Mr. Rwampororo despite her alleged ineligibility arising from her absence from duty,” the statement said.

Kebirungi retired in 2024 and allegedly received benefits, including gratuity and monthly pension payments, the Inspectorate said.

Outlining the benefits she allegedly received after leaving public service, the IG said the payments included both a retirement gratuity and a pension.

“She subsequently retired in 2024 and allegedly received terminal benefits, including gratuity and monthly pension payments,” the statement said.

The Inspectorate said its investigations had been concluded by February 6, 2026, and that the total amount Kebirungi allegedly received irregularly was UGX 110,877,900.

Giving the figure it says was established during the inquiry, the IG stated that the alleged payments had accumulated to more than UGX 110 million.

“By 6th February 2026, when the investigations were concluded, Ms. Kebirungi had allegedly irregularly received a total amount of UGX 110,877,900,” the statement said.

The three suspects have been transferred to Kampala and are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court, where they will answer charges relating to the alleged financial loss and abuse of office, according to the Inspectorate.

The IG said the suspects would be presented before the court.

“The three suspects have been transferred to Kampala and are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court to answer charges relating to the alleged financial loss and abuse of office,” the statement said.

The Inspectorate said the case underscored the need to protect public funds and hold public officials accountable.

Reaffirming its position on the use of government resources, the IG said: “The Inspectorate of Government remains committed to fighting corruption, promoting accountability and ensuring that public resources are utilised for their intended purposes.”

The statement added: “The case underscores the importance of safeguarding public funds and holding public officers accountable for their actions.”

Ntare School Public Relations Office Issues Statement

In a separate statement issued on October 28, Ntare School’s Public Relations Office confirmed that Rwampororo had met officials from the Inspectorate to discuss the investigation and had returned to his administrative duties.

Confirming the meeting, the school said the headmaster had provided investigators with the information they requested.

“Earlier today, the Headmaster, Mr. Rwampororo Saul met with IGG officials to provide information and clarity regarding an ongoing investigation,” the Public Relations Office said.

The school maintained that Rwampororo had cooperated with the officials and was back at work.

“The Headmaster fully cooperated, immediately shared all requested details, and has since returned to school and resumed his official administrative school duties,” the statement said.

The Public Relations Office also criticised the spread of unverified accounts of the arrests, saying online reports had caused concern among members of the school community.

Warning against relying on unconfirmed claims, the school said some of the accounts circulating online were exaggerated.

“We are aware that unverified rumors and exaggerated narratives have quickly spread across digital platforms, generating unnecessary concern,” the statement said.

Reaffirming its commitment to students’ welfare and the integrity of its operations, the school said it would continue to focus on providing a suitable learning environment.

“Ntare School remains deeply committed to transparency, integrity, and maintaining a safe, focused learning environment for our students,” the Public Relations Office said.

The school urged parents, former students and other stakeholders to seek information from official sources instead of relying on speculation.

Calling for restraint as the inquiry proceeds, the statement said: “We encourage the public and all stakeholders to rely on official communication rather than social media speculation.”

The school’s statement did not address the specific allegations outlined by the IG or dispute the amount investigators say was irregularly paid. Instead, it focused on Rwampororo’s cooperation with the investigation and the continuation of school activities.

Rwampororo speaks out

In his personal statement, Rwampororo acknowledged the reports about his arrest alongside his predecessor and a former staff member, while emphasising that the school was cooperating with the investigation.

Addressing the public attention surrounding the case, he said: “The Media has been awash with the news of my arrest, former headteacher and a former staff over causing financial loss to government.”

He appealed directly to parents, students, Old Boys and other supporters of Ntare School, assuring them that the institution was not obstructing the investigation.

“I want to assure the parents, students, OBs and all well wishers of Ntare School that the IGG is conducting inquiries over the matter and we are not only in support but also cooperating with the IGG in this matter,” Rwampororo said.

The headmaster also said he had continued with his regular responsibilities, including supervising the national examinations.

“I am personally in school performing my normal duties and conducting the UNEB Exams as expected of a Headteacher,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the authorities handling the matter, Rwampororo urged the public to trust the investigative process.

“I would like to assure the public that the IGG is competent and will professionally handle this matter to its logical conclusion,” he said.

His statement did not directly respond to the individual allegations concerning the alleged false admission letter, salary payments, allowances or retirement benefits. It instead stressed cooperation with the IGG and continuity in the school’s administration.

The case has drawn attention to the management of public funds at Ntare School, one of Uganda’s longstanding secondary schools located in Mbarara, western Uganda.

At the centre of the investigation are allegations that Kebirungi continued receiving salary and other benefits while absent from duty, and that the two headteachers concealed her absence and authorised additional payments.

The IG says its investigation has been concluded and that the three suspects are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court.

For now, Rwampororo says he is cooperating with investigators and continuing with his duties, while the school has urged stakeholders to rely on official communication as the case proceeds.