Pallisa police are holding a teacher accused of assaulting two minor brothers, resulting in the death of one of them. The incident occurred at Omotoi Primary School on Thursday, when 14-year-old Tom Okuwani and 16-year-old Stephen Oonyo visited their sister, Beatrice Ikiror, to retrieve UGX 1000 she had taken with her.
However, teachers and school administrators mistakenly suspected the boys of being in love with their sister and subjected them to severe caning.
The two victims were seriously beaten and were sent home, where their health rapidly deteriorated. The following day, both brothers were rushed to Pallisa Hospital and then referred to Mbale Referral Hospital. Sadly, Okuwani passed away, while his brother Stephen Oonyo remains in critical condition at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.
The police have opened an investigation into the incident, registering the case as a murder (PAL CRB 091/2025). One teacher, Stephen Orone, has been arrested and interrogated, with his statement recorded.
The body of the deceased was taken to Mbale City Mortuary for a postmortem examination.
This tragic event adds to growing concerns about teacher discipline and abuse in schools across Uganda. According to reports from Informer News Uganda, just last month, two teachers from Standard College Rwashamaire in Ntungamo District were charged with assaulting a student, following the viral release of a video showing them flogging 16-year-old Brian Akampa, a Form Two student.
The teachers had accused Akampa of leaving school grounds to eat a common street food, “Kikomando.” When Akampa tried to flee the beating, he was grabbed and slapped by the teachers.
The two teachers, Aneb Mwesigye and Naboth Twesigye, were charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and remanded until March 4, 2025, for a mention of their case.
The ongoing incidents are drawing attention to the urgent need for stricter measures and accountability regarding the treatment of students by educators.
The Pallisa police investigation continues, with both the community and national authorities watching closely for developments.
