The Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development in charge of Youth and Children’s Affairs, Mercy Faith Lakisa, has condemned the continued use of corporal punishment in schools following the death of a Senior Four student in Luwero District.
During a visit to Luwero Central Police Station and New Life Secondary School on Wednesday, Dr Lakisa followed up on investigations into the death of 17-year-old Nicholas Nakibinge, who allegedly died after being beaten by a teacher last month.
According to police, the prime suspect, Physics teacher Abraham Mukalazi, remains on the run and efforts to trace and arrest him are ongoing.
Nakibinge reportedly collapsed on June 16 after an altercation with the teacher, who allegedly accused him of failing to trim his hair in line with school rules and performing poorly in remedial tests. He died while being rushed to Luwero Hospital.
During closed-door meetings with police and school administrators, the minister was briefed on the progress of investigations. School administrators reportedly expressed regret over the incident.
Addressing students, Dr Lakisa said corporal punishment has no place in Uganda’s education system and urged schools to adopt lawful and child-friendly methods of discipline.
She said teachers cannot know learners’ underlying medical conditions and warned that physical punishment can lead to serious injury or death.
Dr Lakisa directed schools across the country to abandon corporal punishment and instead embrace positive and non-violent disciplinary approaches.
She also encouraged learners to report abuse through Sauti 116, the government’s free 24-hour child helpline managed by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, which handles reports of child abuse, gender-based violence and other child protection concerns.
Speaking to journalists, the minister expressed confidence that the suspect would be arrested and prosecuted. The minister also visited Luwero Islamic Noor Secondary School after allegations of corporal punishment were reported there, warning the school’s management against violating children’s rights.
Speaking on behalf of fellow students, Caroline Nantongo of New Life Secondary School said the minister’s visit had comforted learners, many of whom remain traumatised by Nakibinge’s death.
The school’s management declined to comment during the minister’s visit. However, shortly after the incident, the school’s co-director and LCII Chairperson, Paul Mukungu, described the student’s death as tragic and condemned the alleged assault that preceded it.
The case has renewed debate over enforcement of Uganda’s ban on corporal punishment in schools. Section 106A of the Children (Amendment) Act, 2016 prohibits corporal punishment in educational institutions and requires schools to use child-friendly disciplinary measures.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has also issued guidelines promoting positive discipline. Despite these safeguards, reports of learners being caned, beaten and subjected to other forms of physical punishment continue to emerge from schools across the country, raising concerns about compliance with the law and the protection of children’s rights-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
