Ntare School in Mbarara City, southwestern Uganda, has dismissed widespread rumors that students went on strike on March 20, 2026, clarifying that the institution continued operating normally despite viral social media claims suggesting unrest. The false reports spread rapidly online, causing concern among parents, alumni, and the wider public before the school administration stepped in to set the record straight.
The rumors began circulating late on March 19 and intensified the following day, with several social media posts and videos showing groups of young people running through parts of Mbarara town, alongside scenes of police presence and apparent commotion. Some posts urged parents to check on their children at the school, while others framed the situation as a developing strike. A widely shared post from Kigezi Teens Magazine claimed that Ntare School students were on strike and called on parents and friends to verify the safety of their loved ones, further fueling anxiety and confusion.
Ntare School quickly responded to the situation through its official communication channels, firmly denying the claims. In a public statement released on March 20, 2026, the school clarified that there was no strike and that all academic and co-curricular activities were proceeding as scheduled. The administration also cautioned the public against spreading misinformation and urged people to rely on official sources for accurate updates.
Eyewitness accounts and responses from alumni and community members helped explain the situation behind the viral videos. According to these clarifications, the activity seen in Mbarara town was linked to post-sports celebrations rather than any form of protest. Ntare School had reportedly won a soccer gala against a rival institution, likely Mbarara Secondary School, and the celebrations led to large groups of excited students moving through town. The energetic celebrations, including running and cheering, were misinterpreted as signs of unrest by online users who shared the footage without verification.
Alumni familiar with the school’s history emphasized that strikes at Ntare School typically occur within the campus and involve organized protests, making the scenes in town inconsistent with a real strike. Many supporters also rallied behind the school’s official statement, reinforcing that the viral content was misleading and taken out of context.
Notably, no major Ugandan media outlets, including Daily Monitor, New Vision, or other credible local sources in Mbarara, reported any strike, boycott, or unrest at Ntare School on March 20, 2026. This absence of coverage further confirmed that the situation had been exaggerated by social media speculation rather than grounded in verified events. In past incidents involving Ntare School, such as protests or suspensions in previous years, national media provided extensive coverage, making the silence from mainstream outlets a strong indicator that no strike had occurred.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in the digital age, where short video clips and unverified posts can quickly trigger panic, especially when they involve well-known institutions with a history of attracting public attention. Ntare School’s swift and clear response played a crucial role in calming fears and preventing further spread of false information.
As of March 21, 2026, Ntare School remains fully operational, with normal academic and boarding activities continuing without disruption. The administration has encouraged parents, students, and the general public to always rely on official school communications and credible media sources to avoid falling victim to misinformation in the future.
