Shockwaves are rocking Tamaris International Christian School, formerly known as King’s International School as one of its longest-serving teachers has come out guns blazing, accusing the proprietress, Naomi Ruth Davidson, of gross mistreatment, non-payment of salaries, and sheer exploitation of staff for years.
Grace Mbambu, a soft-spoken but resilient educator who joined the school back in 2018, has spilled all the tea on what she calls “years of pain, unpaid labour, and betrayal.”
In an emotional account while at The ministry of education in Kampala, Grace recounts walking long distances to school, rain or shine, just to honour her duties at the institution.
Despite her unwavering loyalty and hard work, her story is one of heartbreak and financial abuse.
“I’ve worked for that school with all my heart. Even when times were hard, I showed up. But the school turned around and spat on my loyalty,” she says, visibly shaken.
The teacher, who is now demanding UGX 6,966,000 in arrears, claims she was unceremoniously dismissed after asking for her unpaid balance.
“I texted Madam Naomi about the money they owe me, and the next thing I hear is that my job is no longer available. That’s how they operate,” Grace lamented to authorities.
WhatsApp chats between the two paint a grim picture. In one chilling message, Naomi, who admits the school is bankrupt, coldly tells Grace:
“King’s is bankrupt. It has no money. It will be me to pay you out of my own money when I get a job—which only God knows when.”
Another message from Naome claims Grace’s employment was “insecure” because she didn’t sign a contract, though Grace disputes this, saying the school had already agreed on terms and even issued a payment plan.
According to documents seen by this reporter, Grace received only four NSSF contributions in her six-year stint which is a clear evidence of possible statutory non-compliance.
The so-called payment plan, riddled with inconsistencies, shows a staggering trail of broken promises, with balances carried forward and partial payments barely scratching the surface of what’s owed.
Grace isn’t alone. Sources inside the school allege that several other teachers have suffered the same fate, some walking away without a single shilling for months of service.
“They use this trick of calling it ‘new management’ to dodge debts, but it’s the same people, same owner, same tactics,” one source revealed.
In a heart-wrenching message to Naome, Grace pleads:
“It’s unfortunate that we are ending like this. Life has been so tough for me and my children. I imagine if you were in my shoes. All I need is for us to end peacefully.”
But peace seems like a distant dream. Naomi, while acknowledging Grace’s commitment, maintains that the school can’t help her now.
“We unfortunately do not have a position for you at Tamaris. The new team came in with their own staff,” reads her final message.
Grace now calls upon relevant government authorities and education regulators to intervene, demanding justice not just for herself but for other silenced teachers who’ve been chewed and dumped by the same system.
“I don’t want to drag this into courts, but if I must, I will. We deserve better. We deserve our money,” Grace asserts, standing firm.
As this scandal unfolds, parents, former teachers, and watchdog bodies are watching closely.
Tamaris International Christian School may have changed its name, but it seems the ghosts of King’s past are still haunting its halls.