news 18 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Luweero student dies after alleged teacher assault; corporal punishment concerns resurface
A Senior Four student at New Life Secondary School in Luweero has died after reportedly being beaten by a teacher, sparking outrage and renewed calls to end corporal punishment in Ugandan schools. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/s4-student-dies-after-being-beaten-by-teacher-in-luweero--5500506
Nicholas Nakibinge, a 16-year-old Senior Four student at New Life Secondary School in Luweero District, has tragically died following an alleged assault by a teacher. The student’s family claims he was beaten by teacher Abraham Mukalazi on June 15 and June 16, prior to collapsing.
The family is accusing the school of a cover-up, stating they were not informed of any disciplinary issues involving their son. Instead, they were allegedly told that Nicholas had fainted in class. This lack of transparency has fueled anger within the community, with some residents alleging that corporal punishment remains a prevalent and often excessive disciplinary method at the school, despite being outlawed.
Local authorities have confirmed the incident and are actively searching for the teacher, Mr. Mukalazi, who is reportedly on the run. The Savannah Regional Police spokesperson, Mr. Sam Twineamazima, stated that preliminary investigations suggest the student was assaulted, leading to his death. Two other individuals have been arrested to assist with the ongoing investigation.
The incident has reignited concerns about the use of corporal punishment in schools. While banned by law and a Supreme Court ruling in 1999, its continued practice remains a contentious issue. Experts and community members are emphasizing the need for schools to involve parents in disciplinary matters and explore alternative, non-violent methods of student guidance.
Nicholas Nakibinge’s body has been sent to the Kampala City Mortuary for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. The Luweero Town Council LCIII chairperson, Mr. Paul Mukungu, has called for accountability, highlighting the sad loss of a young student due to what he termed reckless behavior by a teacher. The investigation is ongoing pending the results of the postmortem report.