PRO Luwano Gives Lubega Institute’s Side in Musila Students’ Fee Dispute

IGANGA, Uganda — Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals has issued a fresh clarification over allegations surrounding students’ school fees and purported forged bank slips, saying the institution acted after discovering that some students had allegedly been studying without paying the required fees.

The clarification was made Wednesday morning by Sulaina Luwano, the institute’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), shortly after management issued a statement responding to claims raised in Parliament by Hon. John Musila, the Bubulo East County Member of Parliament.

The dispute involves Musila’s daughter, alongside other students whom the institute says became involved in a scheme in which money intended for school fees was allegedly not deposited at the bank, with forged payment slips subsequently presented as proof of payment.

Luwano said Musila has been a long-standing parent at the institution, with several of his children having studied or currently studying there.

“Honorable Musila is our parent, not just once. He is like a six-time parent,” Luwano said, explaining that the particular student at the centre of the dispute is his daughter.

According to Luwano, the problem emerged after some students allegedly succumbed to peer pressure and began producing purportedly forged bank slips instead of depositing the money given to them by their parents for school fees.

She said the students formed a group and allegedly continued with the practice until the school discovered discrepancies in their payment records.

Institute says investigation followed discovery

Luwano said the institute began gathering information from students after detecting the irregularities.

“We started getting information from other students,” she said, adding that the investigation allegedly led the institution to a person believed to have been 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.

According to Luwano, the person suspected of being involved was subsequently arrested by police.

She said the institute also summoned parents to explain the situation and discuss how the outstanding fees could be addressed.

Parents asked to clear outstanding fees

Luwano said the institute's immediate concern was that students had continued attending classes despite the school allegedly not receiving the money their parents believed had been paid.

“What we asked them is to pay the school fees,” she said.

She explained that the institution wanted parents to settle the outstanding fees because the affected students had continued studying while their accounts remained unpaid.

“As a school we had made the laws. Our request was: can the parents pay back the school fees because the children have been studying without paying?” Luwano said.

She further claimed that Musila's wife attended one of the meetings with the institution and was briefed about the matter.

According to Luwano, however, the dispute escalated after Musila allegedly insisted that his daughter be allowed to return to school while the police investigation was still ongoing.

Institute rejects political-pressure allegations

Luwano said the institution declined to readmit the student under the circumstances, arguing that the matter had already been referred to law enforcement.

She said management considered the issue a criminal matter requiring police investigation rather than one that could be resolved through pressure on the institution.

“Then there was an ongoing investigation already because other people had been arrested,” Luwano said.

She 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 further accused the MP of using his position to damage the institution's reputation, a claim that remains disputed.

Police investigation

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 school maintains that its decision to report the matter to police was based on the seriousness of allegations involving forgery and impersonation.

Luwano said the institution chose to follow established procedures rather than interfere with the investigation.

Press conference planned

The institute is expected to provide further details during a press conference scheduled for later Wednesday at 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.

“A lot will be said. Journalists are going to come, for more clarity,” she said.

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. 

Institute insists on professional standards

Despite the controversy, Lubega Institute said it remains focused on its mandate of training nurses and other health professionals.

Management said the institution is guided by professional ethics and expects students to comply with its rules and regulations.

The institute has also appealed to the Eastern Busoga Regional Police to publicly clarify the status of the investigation so that the facts surrounding the disputed fee payments and alleged forged documents can be established.

The latest clarification comes as the dispute continues to attract public attention following Musila's presentation of the matter before Parliament.

For now, the allegations made by both sides remain contested, with the institute maintaining that it acted against suspected irregularities while the MP has raised concerns about the treatment of students. 

The planned press conference is expected to provide additional details and allow the institute to respond to the issues raised publicly.

For further information, Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals can be contacted through its Iganga office on 0772 460130 or its Kampala office via admin@lubeganursinginstitute.ac.ug.