The government has issued a firm directive outlawing the use of corporal punishment in schools and has instructed the Uganda Police Force to arrest and prosecute any teachers or school authorities who continue to engage in the illegal practice.

The order, issued by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, follows increasing reports of physical abuse of learners in schools despite a national ban in place.

“Corporal punishment is assault and a criminal offence punishable by law,” Gen Otafiire stated in a communication dated May 28, 2025.

“I hereby direct Police to arrest and prosecute any teacher or school authority engaging in corporal punishment and any other form of assault on learners,” he added.

The directive also urged the Ministry of Education and Sports to develop and promote alternative forms of discipline that are non-violent and child-friendly.

Despite the ban, corporal punishment remains prevalent in Ugandan schools. The 2024 National Learning and Assessment Report by Uwezo indicates that about 70 percent of schools still apply physical discipline.

The report further shows that 9% of schools frequently administer corporal punishment, 61% do so occasionally, and nly 30% have abandoned the practice completely

The Children Act (2016) defines corporal punishment as any disciplinary action where physical force is used with the intention of causing pain, discomfort, or humiliation to a child.

Gen Otafiire said continued use of such punishment undermines children’s rights and endangers their wellbeing.

“We continue to receive alarming reports about the administration of corporal punishment in schools, to the extent that some learners are injured but fear to report such incidents,” he said.

While corporal punishment has long been condemned by human rights activists, its enforcement has remained a challenge due to cultural attitudes and lack of accountability within some schools.

Education experts have urged the government to reinforce awareness campaigns and ensure strict monitoring and inspection of schools across the country.

Efforts are also underway to train teachers in positive discipline methods, such as counseling, reward systems, and restorative justice practices that uphold the dignity of learners.

The Ministry of Education is expected to release updated guidelines to schools in line with the directive.

The renewed government stance signals a tougher approach to enforcing children’s rights and holding abusers accountable under the law.