Security officials in Apac district have dismissed reports of a coordinated panga attack on students of Apac Seed Secondary School, instead attributing the Easter Sunday incident to student indiscipline. At least seven students sustained serious injuries, including cuts to the neck, back, hands, and legs, following clashes with local youth outside the school premises. Initial reports had suggested that armed assailants invaded the school and attacked students within the compound. However, district authorities say investigations have ruled out any such internal attack. The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Andrew Onyuk, who also heads security in the area, said the violence stemmed from students who left the school without permission. “There is no such attack. It should be clear that what happened involved students who had gone outside the school perimeter to a village disco,” Onyuk said. According to Onyuk, the students had earlier participated in a talent show and other evening activities organised by the school before sneaking out to a nearby trading centre, where a disco was taking place. A disagreement with local youth reportedly escalated into a physical confrontation. He added that the situation worsened when some of the youth followed the students towards the school, leading to the injuries. Several suspects have since been arrested as investigations continue. The school’s head teacher, James Keba, confirmed that all official school activities ended peacefully and that students had been accounted for before the incident. “We held a talent show from around 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm, followed by a film about the resurrection of Jesus up to about 9:30 pm,” Keba said. He emphasised that no attack occurred within the school, attributing the incident to a group of students who defied school regulations. “There was no attack in the school. It is only these boys who escaped and went out, and they had disagreements with youth from outside,” he said. Keba noted that internal investigations are underway to establish how many students left the school without authorisation, with disciplinary measures expected. He added that the school maintains generally good relations with the surrounding community. Local leaders, however, pointed to security gaps, particularly incomplete fencing around the school, which makes it easier for students to leave undetected. The Apac sub-county defence secretary, Augustine Okello, said while relations between the school and the community remain largely peaceful, incidents tend to arise when students venture out of the school premises and engage in risky behaviour. Leaders have since proposed reconciliation efforts between the school and the community to prevent future confrontations and strengthen coexistence. Apac Seed Secondary School, established in 2020, is a government-aided institution.The post Authorities downplay Apac school panga attack, cite student indiscipline appeared first on The Observer.