Caning persists in schools despite ban
Despite a national ban on corporal punishment in Uganda, schools continue to use caning as a disciplinary measure. Recent violent incidents have led to police involvement and calls for stricter enforcement of existing child protection laws.
Why it matters
The persistence of corporal punishment highlights the gap between legal frameworks and actual practice in educational institutions.
Despite Uganda's ban on corporal punishment more than two decades ago, several schools still cane learners for lateness, poor performance and other offences.
Although education authorities promote positive discipline, weak enforcement has allowed the practice to persist.
While some teachers defend caning as necessary, child rights advocates say it violates children's rights and causes physical and psychological harm.
Recent incidents in Busoga highlight the continued use of corporal punishment despite the ban.
At Multiple Junior School in Jinja City, three teachers were arrested and later released on bail in June this year after allegedly assaulting a Primary Five pupil, who was reportedly beaten by eight teachers over poor academic performance, leaving him injured.
The case was reported at Jinja Central Police Station under CRB 106/29/06/2026.
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