The Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court has remanded 10 school proprietors for failing to meet the necessary requirements to operate their institutions.
The individuals appeared before Masaka Chief Magistrate Alloysius Natwijuka and were charged with three counts, including operating schools without authorisation from the Ministry of Education and Sports, operating without a licence, and running schools with inadequate infrastructure.
The accused denied all charges. They were arrested during a citywide crackdown led by officials and police on Tuesday. The Magistrate remanded them after they failed to present acceptable sureties in court.
The case has been adjourned to September 17, when the defendants are expected to return for a hearing on their bail applications.
Masaka City’s school inspector indicated that around 35 schools are listed for closure after repeatedly ignoring directives to meet government infrastructure requirements. Authorities, in collaboration with the police, are continuing their crackdown on non-compliant schools. School proprietors have been encouraged to seek advice from relevant offices.