Former Kampala Parents school owner Edward Kasole has dispelled rumours that he was compelled to sell the education facility to tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia.
In a video interview, Kasole describes his long good relationship with Sudhir and how he sold the school to him.
“I went out as a willing seller and I found a willing buyer. We sat and negotiated and we agreed and the man (Sudhir) paid me fully and I walked away,” said Kasol..
Earlier this week, some individuals have been peddling falsehoods that Sudhir ‘grabbed’ the Naguru based school after Kasosle failed to service the loan he acquired from Crane Bank.
“I did not even have an account in Crane Bank. I didn’t have. Not even a savings account in Crane Bank. Never,” he explained.
“I had not even met him before. It’s only the late Mr Kassaga Zzimwe; because he was apparent in my school, I am the one who whispered that I am selling the school,” he elaborated.
“Then we all went out to look for buyers. Then we came with Mr Sudhir. We sat and agreed and he paid me cash and I walked away.”
The persistent rumours surrounding the fate of the school amid the recent takeover of Crane Bank by government has unruffled feathers and created uncertainty among parents and teachers.
Sudhir last week personally reassures KPS parents that the school is there to stay, contrary to reports that it had been sold.
Kasole explained that the reports emerge from the different perceptions of parents towards Kasole and Sudhir, a renowned businessman.
“I think they (rumours) are based on two, three factors,” said Kasole, adding, “One, parents in Kampala loved Kasole very much.”
He said parents “could not believe that I was to leave.”
Kasole added: “They have good reasons because there is a difference between Sudhir and Kasole. For example, I used to arrive at my school, KPS, at 6:30am, January to December for 23 consecutive years. Does he (Sudhir) go there?”
He further pointed out that, “Parents were used to look out for” him every time they arrived at the school.
“I was shaking the hands of every child; looking at every child’s handkerchief. And shoes. And greeting parents who brought the children,” he reminisced on the old times.
“Those differences in opinion are still ringing in parents’ heads.”
Asked to explain his relationship with the businessman, Kasole responded: “Excellent”
He added: “I love him very much. I like him. He is a good man. He paid me my money. Fully. I don’t have any issues at all.”
Kampala Parents School, a private mixed primary school located in Nakawa Division of the City Council of Kampala, was acquired by Sudhir in 2004.
The school is on international level but follows a local curriculum.
It’s situated along Lugogo bypass and has an enrolment of over 3,000 pupils with 130 well trained teachers and over 150 non-teaching staff members.
The pupils come from all over the world.
The multi-cultural institution provides a well-rounded balanced education to children from different backgrounds.
Pressed to explain circumstances surrounding the sale of the school, Kasole said he “went out looking for a willing buyer and he (Sudhir) bought the school.”
He elaborated: “And that’s why, for your information, may be you didn’t know, after I had sold the school, Mr Sudhir requested me to stay behind as an advisor. On request. And I stayed for a year. And he wanted to renew my contract and I said, ‘no’. I have trained you.’”
Sudhir, according to Kasole, urged him to stay behind to which the latter obliged.
“And for the whole year after selling the school, when holding parents’ meetings, I used to be the chairman. Mr Sudhir used to sit in a certain corner. And I was only introducing him as the next owner of the school. For a whole year,” explained Kasole.
“And I said, ‘bye, bye.’ He had wanted to give me a contract and I said, ‘no, no, I am going.’”