Parents belonging to the iThe Faith of Unityi sect have accused the administration of Fatuma College, a catholic founded school in Hoima for harassing their children for dodging church prayers.
The accusations stem from the dismissal of 13 students and the punishment of 13 others by the school's Deputy Head teacher, Florence Kenganzi for failure to attend church service last weekend.
Irked by what they say is the continuous harassment of their children by the school, the 22 aggrieved parents have written to the Hoima District Education Officer, James Isoke asking his intervention in the matter.
In their letter dated March 25, addressed to the DEO, aggrieved parents argued that punishment of their children for failing to attend church service is a violation of their constitutional right of freedom of worship and basic education.
But the District Education Officer James Isoke maintains that the students must comply with the school's norms, values and regulations. He advised the parents to forward their grievance to the Ministry of Education and sports to amend policies of the school's founding institution.
Florence Kengazi, the school's Deputy Headmistress who is at the helm of the misunderstanding, denied any wrong doing in this regard. Kenganzi said she was only fulfilling the school regulations.
The Faith of Unity is a religious sect founded by a self proclaimed iOmukama Ruhanga Owobusobozii best translated as iGod Almightyi Desteo Bisaka, a former catholic.
The sect has a multitude of followers in almost the whole of western Uganda with its stronghold being in Kapyeemi, Muhoro Sub county Kibaale district.
Its followers call themselves; iAbaikirizai translated as ibelieversi and only conduct prayer services on every 2nd, 12th and 22nd days of the month.
