Uganda's struggle to protect school children from abuse

Last week, a teacher convicted of molesting a child at a Kampala school was brought back to court, where he pleaded for leniency. His audacious request reignited fears among parents about their children's safety in schools. 
Uganda’s 2023 crime report shows that 13,144 children were defiled, with 211 cases involving primary school teachers. Court investigations found that most of these crimes happen during school activities such as extra lessons, in toilets or on trips.
Schools and districts have rules to punish bad teachers, but people disagree about whether these rules work well. Teachers, officials, counsellors, and parents share their views on how schools handle teacher behaviour and keep children safe.

Handling the cases
Teachers must maintain high standards of behaviour to set a good example for learners and the community, explains Rev Edward Kirya, Kiryandongo's District education officer. 
"Children mirror what they see from their teachers," he says, emphasising how teacher behaviour shapes future generations. When teachers break conduct rules through actions such as alcoholism or other misconduct, schools follow a clear disciplinary process.
 It starts with verbal or written warnings, then progresses to formal cautions and reprimands. For serious cases, teachers may face demotion or dismissal. These measures can be applied at either school or district level, depending on who oversees the case.
For criminal offences such as child abuse, the process becomes more serious, says Kakumiro District official Dan Masanga. Such cases are first investigated by police.
Once completed, the findings are sent to the teachers' service commission, which then decides appropriate disciplinary action. This two-tiered system - school/district handling professional misconduct while police handle criminal acts, aims to protect learners while giving teachers fair hearings.

First-hand experience
John Bosco Rubiito, head teacher of St Anatole Karama Primary School, recalls handling a troubling case at his former school. A teacher had behaved inappropriately toward a learner and when the matter reached the senior woman, Rubiito was called in to resolve it. At first, the pupil was too afraid to speak because she was scared of him.
"I reassured her, saying, ‘I am like a father to you,’" Rubiito explains. Only then did the girl feel safe enough to identify the teacher. Rubiito summoned him immediately. Though the teacher initially denied the allegations, Rubiito eventually secured a full confession and made it clear such behaviour was unacceptable.
Now, at his current school, Rubiito has taken preventive measures. Learners’ clubs educate pupils on recognising and reporting misconduct. Additionally, before school trips, he holds mandatory meetings with teachers, sternly warning them about proper conduct and evaluates their behaviour afterward.

Parental vigilance
Biira Aisha, a mother of three, has developed an acute awareness of her children’s behaviour patterns. As many parents, she has learnt to read subtle signs; a child sitting unusually quiet in the corner after school is a potential red flags. 
“That is when I know something is wrong,” she shares, echoing the instinctive vigilance that parents worldwide are increasingly adopting in today’s complex educational environment.
Sudden academic struggles
These symptoms, Amola notes, represent a child’s limited vocabulary for expressing trauma. 
“Early recognition can mean the difference between temporary distress and lasting psychological harm,” she emphasises, highlighting the growing awareness of childhood mental health.
Perhaps most telling, according to Amola, is when children develop avoidance behaviours such as resisting certain teachers, school activities or locations. 
“This is not mere shyness,” she cautions. “It is often the clearest indicator that something has fundamentally shaken the child’s sense of safety.”

Strengthening teacher recruitment
Dan Masanga explains the multi-layered safeguards in place during teacher recruitment to prevent fraud and misconduct. A critical first step involves rigorous document verification, as some applicants attempt to submit fake academic credentials. 
The chief administrative officer personally oversees this process by cross-checking academic documents directly with issuing institutions and validating registration certificates through the Ministry of Education. 
"We never issue appointment letters until every document has been thoroughly verified," Masanga emphasises, highlighting the zero-tolerance policy toward fraudulent qualifications.
Beyond bureaucratic checks, the system incorporates vital community oversight. Once candidate shortlists are published across multiple platforms including physical notice boards, government websites, and social media channels the public gains a 14-day window to report any concerning history about applicants. This grievance redress mechanism serves as a crucial safety net, allowing communities to flag individuals with past misconduct before they secure teaching positions.

However, education advocates suggest further strengthening these safeguards through enhanced police background checks, streamlined verification processes to reduce delays, and stronger protections for whistleblowers; recommendations that could make Uganda's schools safer for learners.
The vital role of parents in protecting children
Mark Amati, a father of a six-year-old, has taken proactive steps to ensure his child's safety by enrolling them in a relative's school. 
"This way, I know I'll be immediately informed if any issues arise," he explains. Amati maintains zero tolerance for teacher misconduct, stating firmly, "Any teacher who abuses a child should be fired immediately."
Biira Aisha, mother of young children, acknowledges the challenges of discussing inappropriate behaviour with small children but remains committed to their protection. 
"Even though they are too young for detailed conversations, I am teaching them to recognise when something does not feel right," she says. "This foundation will help them understand more as they grow older."

The lasting impact of abuse
Amola highlights the severe consequences of childhood abuse. "These experiences can disrupt a child's emotional development, potentially leading to depression, PTSD, and difficulties forming healthy relationships," she explains. The damage often persists into adulthood, affecting self-worth and social interactions.
However, Amola offers hope: "With early intervention and sustained support from both parents and therapists, healing is possible."
 Professional therapy plays a crucial role by helping children rebuild their sense of safety and trust, the essential foundations for emotional recovery. She emphasises that when combined with parental vigilance and proper institutional responses, many children can overcome traumatic experiences and develop healthy coping mechanisms.