Eye Media Reporter | 2 July 2026

JINJA – Authorities in Jinja have come under pressure to investigate allegations that a Primary Five pupil was brutally caned by eight teachers at a city school, in what child rights advocates describe as a blatant violation of Uganda’s ban on corporal punishment in schools.

The pupil, identified as Abddsalam Hamed Abdallah, a Primary Five learner at Multiple Junior School on Muvule Crescent in Jinja City, is reportedly nursing injuries after allegedly being punished for performing poorly in class tests.

According to reports, each of the eight teachers allegedly administered three strokes after accusing the pupil of failing to attain the school’s pass mark. The cumulative punishment is said to have left the child injured.

The incident has sparked concern among parents and education stakeholders, who argue that schools should promote guidance and counselling instead of physical punishment.

According to the area’s LCI Defence Secretary, Rashid Kakaire, the matter was reported to Jinja Central Police Station (CPS) shortly after the incident.

However, Kakaire alleges that the case remained unattended to for four days due to suspected bribery involving the school’s head teacher, Hamza Kizito.

He further claims that when the file was eventually forwarded to the Office of the State Attorney, it was closed on grounds that the matter was too minor to warrant the arrest or prosecution of the teachers or any other persons involved.

Eye Media has not independently verified the bribery allegations, and neither the school management nor the police had issued an official response by the time of publication.

Corporal Punishment is Prohibited in Uganda

Uganda abolished corporal punishment in schools through the Ministry of Education and Sports Guidelines for the Elimination of Corporal Punishment in Schools, first issued in 2006 and reinforced by the Children Act (as amended) and the Teachers’ Professional Code of Conduct.

The law and policy prohibit teachers from disciplining learners through caning, beating, slapping, whipping, pinching or any other form of physical or degrading punishment.

Instead, schools are encouraged to use positive disciplinary methods such as counselling, guidance, parental engagement and behaviour management strategies.

What Could the Teachers Face?

Legal experts say teachers found guilty of physically assaulting learners may face both disciplinary and criminal sanctions.

Depending on the outcome of investigations, possible consequences include dismissal from the teaching service, disciplinary action by education authorities, criminal charges such as assault or causing actual bodily harm under Uganda’s Penal Code, and civil lawsuits seeking compensation for the victim.

Where injuries are severe, courts may impose heavier penalties upon conviction.

Calls for Thorough Investigations

Child rights organisations have consistently warned that corporal punishment not only violates children’s rights but also causes long-term physical and psychological harm that can affect their education and emotional development.

They are now calling on the Uganda Police Force, the Ministry of Education and Jinja City authorities to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations and ensure that anyone found responsible is held accountable.

Eye Media will continue following the matter and seek official responses from Multiple Junior School, Jinja Central Police Station and the Ministry of Education and Sports.

Under Ugandan law, all persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court.

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