Police in Alebtong District have detained three primary school headteachers over allegations of inflating pupil enrolment figures to obtain government funds irregularly.
The arrests followed a headcount conducted during the third term of 2026, which reportedly uncovered differences between the number of pupils recorded in the Education Management Information System (EMIS) and those physically found at the schools.
Alebtong District Internal Security Officer Capt Simon Sserugu said the discrepancies were detected at Amononeno Primary School in Abako Sub-county, Owalo Primary School in Amugu Sub-county, and Amugu Quran Primary School, also in Amugu.
Figures from the exercise showed that Amononeno Primary School had 1,531 pupils registered in EMIS, but only 1,000 were counted at the school.
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At Amugu Quran Primary School, 371 learners were listed in the system, while 174 were physically present. Amugu Primary School had 1,015 registered pupils, compared with 879 counted during the exercise.
The matter was reported to Alebtong Police Station, where the three headteachers are being held as investigations continue.
North Kyoga Region Police spokesperson SP Patrick Jimmy Okema confirmed the investigation, warning that inaccurate enrolment records could result in the misuse of public funds and undermine the delivery of education services.
“The alleged inflation of learner enrolment figures is a matter of serious concern, particularly given the potential implications for the allocation and utilisation of government resources intended to support school operations and service delivery,” Okema said.
Government funding to schools is partly determined by enrolment figures, making accurate records essential to ensure resources are allocated according to the number of learners and schools’ operational needs.
Investigators are expected to establish how the discrepancies arose and whether the figures were deliberately inflated to obtain funds. The allegations against the headteachers have not yet been determined by a court.
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