The school, founded by the Catholic Church under St. Kizito Maziba Parish in the Diocese of Kabale, had earlier convened a spiritual prayer session in May to exorcise the school following the first wave of attacks.
Kabale, Uganda: Maziba Mixed Primary School in Kabale District has been closed indefinitely following suspected cases of demonic possession that left dozens of pupils screaming, fainting, crawling, and chanting the name of a teacher, triggering alarm among parents and local leaders.
The school, located in Maziba Sub-county, came under scrutiny after a new wave of chaotic incidents broke out on Monday, June 2, just hours after the second term resumed. Authorities say the school had already experienced similar events last term, which disrupted end-of-term exams.
Videos of pupils in distress, rolling on the ground, uttering strange words, and exhibiting abnormal strength went viral on social media, fueling fear and speculation about the cause of the attacks.
Kabale District Education Officer, Moses Tumwijukye Bwengye, confirmed the school’s closure, describing the decision as necessary to safeguard learners while investigations continue. “These incidents have been ongoing since last term, causing panic among staff, parents, and pupils,” he said.
The school, founded by the Catholic Church under St. Kizito Maziba Parish in the Diocese of Kabale, had earlier convened a spiritual prayer session in May to exorcise the school following the first wave of attacks. But the relief was short-lived.
Local leaders say Monday’s events began around 10 am, when two learners collapsed and began screaming uncontrollably. Within minutes, dozens followed suit. Many reportedly kept chanting the name “Monday”, believed to be Mr. Expedito Monday, a teacher at the school.
“They were crawling like snakes, beating their classmates, screaming in strange tongues,” said Geoffrey Byarugaba, the LC1 Defence Secretary. “Almost half the school was affected.”
According to residents, Teacher Monday had previously asked each pupil to bring UGX 100 to school. Parents now suspect a link, noting that most of the affected pupils were those who reportedly submitted the money.
Teacher Monday has since gone into hiding after angry parents attempted to confront him. Some [parents] claim he may be the spiritual source of the disruptions, although the school administration says he had been instructed to stay away after the first incident.
Immaculate Kesiime, the wife of another teacher at the school, claimed that even her husband has shown signs of being “spiritually disturbed,” further deepening fears that the crisis may be spreading among staff.
Deputy headteacher John Bosco Twinomuhwezi revealed that school leadership initially dismissed the first incident, hoping it would resolve over the holiday break. However, when learners returned, some refused to report back, and those who did were re-traumatized.
“We had regained some confidence. Enrollment had gone back up to about 250. But it’s now a crisis again,” Twinomuhwezi said, criticizing law enforcement for inaction.
Parents like Fidel Turyagyenda, who has two children at the school, say the disruption threatens their children’s academic future. “My P7 child has registered for exams. This situation is heartbreaking. They may drop out,” he said.
The headteacher confirmed a general PTA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday next week (June 11) to discuss the crisis.
Meanwhile, authorities have promised to work with religious leaders, psychologists, and security agencies to get to the root of the bizarre events shaking the school and community.
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