By Johannah Nantongo

KAMPALA — Eighty students at Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals in Iganga District have been allowed to continue or resume their studies after investigations uncovered forged bank payment slips used to misrepresent tuition fee payments, the Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, has told Parliament.

Presenting a ministerial statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Ogwang said the institute’s management had clarified that none of the affected students had been suspended or expelled over the disputed payments. Instead, arrangements had been made for them to clear their outstanding balances and continue with their education.

The minister said parents experiencing financial difficulties had been allowed to pay the outstanding fees in instalments, with affected students permitted to continue attending classes under the agreed arrangements.

Of the 80 students identified, 15 had already completed their courses, while 55 were continuing students. At the time of the institute’s report, nine of the continuing students had cleared their outstanding fees and resumed their studies, while the others were working towards settling their balances.

Ogwang said the institute had indicated that affected students could return, receive counselling and resume their studies once they met the agreed payment arrangements. He added that no fixed deadline had been set for their return.

The matter came to light in June 2025 after the institute discovered discrepancies between the tuition fees receipted and the amounts deposited into its official Stanbic Bank account.

According to Ogwang, some students had entrusted their tuition payments to an individual who allegedly promised to pay the fees on their behalf but instead provided forged bank slips showing payments higher than the amounts actually deposited.

“On verification, the Bank confirmed that some of the payment slips presented by students were forged,” Ogwang told Parliament.

The institute subsequently reviewed payment slips submitted between January 2025 and June 2026, identifying 80 students whose documents were affected.

Following consultations between the institute’s management and Board of Governors, the matter was reported to police on September 9, 2026.

Hon. Ogwang said despite the forgery, the students were not expelled

Meetings involving the institute, affected students, parents and police were held on September 11 and October 1 to establish how the payments had been made and agree on mechanisms for clearing the outstanding fees.

“Meetings involving the institute, affected students, parents and police were held on 11 September and 01 October to discuss how the payments had been made and agree on arrangements for settling the outstanding fees,” Ogwang said.

The minister further informed Parliament that two principal suspects were arrested on October 7 and taken to court to face charges relating to forgery, uttering forged documents and impersonation.

He declined to comment further on the ongoing court proceedings, saying decisions concerning prosecution and formal arrangements for witnesses were the responsibility of the investigating and prosecuting authorities.

Ogwang said the Ministry of Education and Sports would continue engaging the institute to ensure the agreed payment arrangements were applied fairly and that continuing students were given an opportunity to resume their studies.

“This case engages two principles that must be held in balance; the right of every student to an education and the duty of accountability, integrity and compliance with the regulations of our institutions,” he said.