Minister warns schools against corporal punishment after Jinja brutal beating
"This particular child has now shunned school. He does not want to enter class, nor does he want to go to school because of the torture he has been through. Does caning a child 50 or 100 times open up their brain? I do not think so," Lakisa stated.
The State Minister of Youth and Children Affairs Mercy Faith Lakisa (C) with pupils of Primary Five of Multiple Junior School in Jinja City on July 14th, 2026. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)
JINJA - The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Mercy Faith Lakisa, has issued a stern warning to school heads and teachers against inflicting corporal punishment on learners, following a severe abuse case at Multiple Junior School where a Primary Five pupil was brutally beaten by eight teachers.
The Minister's warning was prompted by an incident involving a P5 pupil (names withheld), who was repeatedly caned by a group of teachers for failing to meet an academic target in mathematics.
The pupil reportedly scored 45%, falling short of the teacher's demanded 90% pass mark.
The brutal assault and trauma
During a surprise inspection of the school on July 14, 2026, Minister Lakisa, who was accompanied by the Officer in Charge of Child and Family Protection Unit attached to Jinja Central Police Station, Monica Mbakire, and the child protection team from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, interrogated the affected learners.
It was revealed that on the day of the incident at the beginning of term two, four pupils were subjected to a beating sequence where eight teachers caned them in turns.
The victims received dozens of strokes, leaving them with severe physical injuries that required nursing for over a week.
By show of hands, pupils of Multiple Junior School raise up their hands to show that they were beaten by their teachers, before State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Mercy Faith Lakisa (C) and SP Monica Mbakire (L) the Officer in Charge of the Children and Family Protection Unit as they were interacting with the primary 5 pupils during her surprise visit at Multiple Junior school on July 14th in Jinja City. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)
"This particular child has now shunned school. He does not want to enter class, nor does he want to go to school because of the torture he has been through. Does caning a child 50 or 100 times open up their brain? I do not think so," Lakisa stated.
She said it was important for everyone out there to know that corporal punishment in schools was outlawed. "Schools have been encouraged to find alternative punishment in case a child is found out of line," Lakisa said.
Minister Lakisa expressed dismay over the teachers' ignorance of the law, noting that during her interactions, many admitted they were unaware that corporal punishment is strictly outlawed in Ugandan schools.
The Minister reiterated the Government's commitment to eradicating corporal punishment and urged the public to report all forms of child abuse and gender-based violence to the Ministry's 24/7 toll-free national helpline, SAUTI 116.
School administration, Police comment
A parent reported the case to police, leading to legal action. According to the school director, Hamza Kizito, who joined the school in 2019, three teachers were arrested and remanded, while others fled.
“The matter is now before court,” he said, adding that he had driven some teachers to the police station to record statements.
The State Minister of Youth and Children Affairs Mercy Faith Lakisa (C) in a group photograph with pupils of Primary Five of Multiple Junior School in Jinja City on July 14th, 2026. (Credit: Donald Kiirya)
However, when pressed by journalists for further details, Kizito referred the media to the school's legal representative.
One of the accused teachers, only identified as Teacher Vicky, denied ever caning the pupils, despite the pupils implicating her among other teachers.
The Officer in Charge of the Child and Family Protection Unit at Jinja Central Police Station, Mbakire, confirmed that police had intervened in the matter and arrested three teachers.
He said those arrested had been charged in court and remanded to prison. Mbakire assured pupils of police protection: “We shall stand with you to solve this issue that is in your school.”
She also educated the children on their rights, reminding those above 12 years of age that they are legally responsible for their own actions and could face rehabilitation in remand homes if they break the law.