A former teacher at Kabojja International School has been sentenced to four years in prison for attempting to sodomise a pupil during a school trip.
The ruling was delivered by the High Court in Kampala under a plea bargain agreement, where Godfrey Muwummuza admitted to the offence.
The incident, which took place during a school-organized trip, shocked the education community and raised fresh concerns over the safety of learners under the care of school authorities.
Prosecutors told the court that Muwummuza, while in a position of trust, took advantage of the pupil during the excursion, leading to his arrest and subsequent prosecution. In his plea, the former teacher expressed remorse, which contributed to a more lenient sentence under the plea bargaining arrangement.
Presiding Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi noted that while the sentence reflects the accused’s admission of guilt and cooperation with the court process, the act itself was grave and breached the fundamental duty of care owed to children by educators. The court emphasized that such conduct cannot be tolerated, especially in institutions entrusted with the wellbeing of minors.
The case has reignited calls for stricter vetting of school staff and enhanced child protection policies in both local and international schools operating in Uganda. Child rights activists have welcomed the verdict, urging schools to take more proactive steps in safeguarding students against abuse from those in authority.
Kabojja International School, in a statement, confirmed the teacher’s dismissal and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward misconduct. “We cooperate fully with authorities to ensure justice and student safety,” the school said.
Child rights activists urged schools to enforce stricter background checks and monitoring systems during trips. The case highlights ongoing concerns about child safety in educational settings.