More than 230 students at Kuru Secondary School in Yumbe District staged a peaceful protest this morning, marching their headteacher to the District Education Officer’s (DEO) office to demand improvements in the quality and quantity of meals served at the school.
The demonstration began around 8:00 AM, with students chanting “Respect” as they moved from the school towards Yumbe Police Station.
Their primary grievance centered on insufficient and poorly prepared food. Students say the current rations—20 kilograms of beans and 30 kilograms of maize for roughly 300 students—are inadequate, especially for supper.
“Sometimes we go to bed hungry. The food is not enough, and even when served, it’s poorly prepared,” a student leader said during discussions with district officials.
The protest followed repeated complaints to school authorities that went unanswered. On June 16, some students resorted to buying food from outside due to dissatisfaction with the meals provided.
Police, led by the Officer in Charge at Yumbe Police Station, initially attempted to intercept the march but allowed the peaceful protest to continue upon confirming it was non-violent.
The DEO and Chief Administrative Officer met the students and agreed to escort the Head Teacher to the DEO’s office for formal dialogue.
Students also expressed frustration with what they described as neglect by school leadership, citing ignored grievances and strained relationships with teachers.
As a symbolic act of protest, some students padlocked administrative offices.
No property was damaged during the protest, but the event exposed a growing disconnect between students and the administration.
Asea Collins, the regional police spokesperson for the West Nile sub-region, said an investigation has been launched.
“We urge the school administration to take these concerns seriously. The welfare of students must be prioritized,” he said.
Calm has since been restored at the school, but the incident raises concerns over how such critical welfare issues escalated without timely resolution.
