Priest sues ministry over pay for school takeover

The Ministry of Education and a Catholic priest in Rubirizi District are embroiled in a legal battle over alleged breach of contract in purchase of a secondary school.

Rev Fr Charles Niwagaba sued the Education ministry for breach of contract and wants general damages with interest. The suit is before the High Court Commercial Division.

It is alleged that on June 28, 2017, Fr Niwagaba and the ministry signed an agreement for purchase of his school, St Thomas Vocational Secondary School in Rubirizi District, at Shs600m and the payments were to be made in the 2017/2018 Financial Year.

“That at the time of purchase of the plaintiff’s school, the Ministry of Education and Sports was informed of the creditors of the school and it undertook to pay them,” reads the complaint dated October 17.
Fr Niwagaba wants court to order government to pay his money with interest and a declaration that the government breached the contract.

The priest alleges that the Inspectorate of Government, investigated the deal and released a report in April 2018 with a recommendation for the takeover to proceed.
According to the suit, on October 21, 2017, the ministry appointed Fr Niwagaba as acting headteacher of the school but has since ignored to pay for the school.

The Education ministry spokesperson, Mr Patrick Muinda, said they knew about Fr Niwagaba’s claim but his payment had been stopped by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) pending a conclusion of investigation.

“The IGG stopped the whole process of payment following a whistleblower and the money was taken to the treasurer. However, when the investigations are concluded, the payment will be done in the next financial year,” Mr Muinda said.

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