Nansana teacher who claimed Holy Spirit ordered her to offer bursaries in Kiboga mentally ill, police say
This photo taken on February 8, 2025 shows some of the children who were rescued after a teacher promised them free bursaries at a school in Kiboga District claiming she had been instructed by the Holy Spirit. PHOTO/NOELINE NABUKENYA
What you need to know:
- The teacher was detained on Thursday over aggravated trafficking of 45 people after promising them jobs and bursaries.
Preliminary investigations by police into Jesca Nakayima, a teacher who claimed the Holy Spirit instructed her to offer bursaries, suggest that she has a history of mental illness.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, confirmed that Nakayima is being held on charges of aggravated trafficking involving 45 victims. During a thorough interrogation, police discovered she was previously a patient at Butabika Psychiatric Hospital.
“There are documents that have been provided to support this,” Onyango said.
He added: “She was once taken to a church where prayers were held for her, and they believed she had been healed.”
Nakayima had promised bursaries to children at Good Samaritan Primary School in Kiboga District, a school over 90kms away and owned by Pr Amon Mitala.
She went around Nansana, convincing parents and guardians that she had secured free education for their children.
“She claimed to have connections with a school that was supported by Europeans, who would facilitate everything,” Onyango explained.
Nakayima collected more than 30 children and hired a Costa Rosa mini-bus registration plate (UAW 850A), convincing the driver that he would be paid upon reaching Kiboga. The vehicle departed Wednesday evening and arrived at the school around 2 a.m. on Thursday.
Upon arrival, Nakayima told the school management that the Holy Spirit had directed her to bring the children and take over the school. “She also claimed the school now belonged to her,” Onyango added.
Nakayima was initially arrested at Kiboga Police Station before being transferred to Lubigi Police Station under the Nansana Police Division in Wakiso District.
Onyango warned the public to exercise caution when offered “free” opportunities and to conduct thorough checks to ensure legitimacy.
Pr. Mitala denied knowing Nakayima, describing her as a self-interested individual who sought to take advantage of his school.
"Yes, the school is mine, but I don't know that lady. The police informed me that she claimed the Holy Spirit directed her to bring the children and take over the school," he said.
Steven Katumba, one of the parents, recounted how his children spent three nights without food while stranded on their journey.
He explained that Nakayima had convinced his wife to send their five-year-old twins with her, promising them free education.
“My children were studying in Mityana, and when we heard about the free education offer, I rushed to pick them up,” Katumba said. He added that he had only provided scholastic materials for the children.
The driver, Alex Muwanika Mukulu, said Nakayima had promised him Shs 800,000 for the trip, but upon arrival, she gave him only Shs 170,000 for fuel.
“I had to use my own money to buy fuel, hoping I’d be reimbursed,” he said.
Abu Batuusa, the Ganda Village Councilor, urged parents to focus on income-generating activities, pointing to poverty as a factor contributing to the susceptibility of many parents to such scams.
“There are no free things in Uganda. You have children, so make sure you work hard to support their education,” he said.
The law
The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2009 criminalized sex trafficking and labor trafficking and prescribed punishments of up to 15 years' imprisonment for offenses involving adult victims and up to life imprisonment for those involving child victims.
