Former Mbale SS Headmaster Appeals for Urgent Action Over Rising Student Gang Violence in Mbale City
In a public appeal directed to the city's security leadership, particularly the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Mr. Kuloba said criminal activities allegedly involving groups of students from several secondary schools have made life increasingly difficult for people living and working in the affected areas.
Mbale City, Uganda – Former Mbale Secondary School headmaster, Mr. Sam Kuloba, has appealed to security authorities in Mbale City to urgently address the deteriorating security situation along Pallisa Road, Mugisu Hill, and surrounding neighbourhoods, which he says has become a major concern for residents and motorists.
In a public appeal directed to the city's security leadership, particularly the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Mr. Kuloba said criminal activities allegedly involving groups of students from several secondary schools have made life increasingly difficult for people living and working in the affected areas.
According to Mr. Kuloba, the incidents are most common between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., when students are returning from school. During this period, groups of students reportedly engage in stone-throwing, fights, and acts of vandalism that endanger members of the public.
"The security situation along Pallisa Road, Mugisu Hill and the neighbouring areas is terribly bad. Students are throwing stones at each other, and we motorists and residents are the worst affected," Mr. Kuloba said.
He specifically mentioned students allegedly from Nkoma Secondary School, Mbale Secondary School, Progressive Secondary School, and Mbale High School, accusing some of them of forming criminal gangs that have made the area unsafe.
The former educator further claimed that some students have been involved in snatching mobile phones from members of the public in broad daylight, creating fear among residents and passers-by.
Mr. Kuloba revealed that his own residence has not been spared from the acts of vandalism, noting that he has lost glass windows on two separate occasions as a result of stone-throwing incidents.
"I have lost glass windows in my residence twice. Please help us," he appealed.
The former headmaster called upon the RCC and other security agencies to engage the administrators of the affected schools and work jointly to address the vice before the situation worsens.
He urged school authorities, parents, and community leaders to take collective responsibility in instilling discipline among learners and preventing criminal behaviour that tarnishes the image of educational institutions.
The concerns raised by Mr. Kuloba add to growing public anxiety over student indiscipline and security challenges in parts of Mbale City. Residents are now calling for increased police patrols, strengthened collaboration between schools and security agencies, and stricter measures against students found engaging in criminal activities.
As of now, city authorities and the management of the schools mentioned had not yet publicly responded to the allegations.
Residents hope that the appeal will prompt swift intervention to restore peace and safety along Pallisa Road, Mugisu Hill, and neighbouring communities.
