A disturbing incident at a Lira-based nursing school has reignited national debate around abuse of authority in private educational institutions. According to the video, it is alleged that Mr. Dickson Odongo, the Director of King James School of Nursing and Midwifery, violently caned a man suspected of having a romantic relationship with a student.
The video, which went viral on social media over the weekend, captured Mr. Odongo flogging a clinical officer allegedly attached to Apac General Hospital in front of students. The incident is said to have taken place in February 2025, but only came to light following a leak by the victim, reportedly after failed attempts to resolve the matter privately.
Human rights activists have condemned the act as a gross violation of personal dignity and the rule of law, calling for the immediate suspension and prosecution of Mr. Odongo.“What we see is not just misconduct; it’s a criminal act,” said a local civic leader in Lira. “Assaulting someone, no matter the reason, is never justified. There are legal channels to address such concerns.”
The controversy stems from claims that the student, a nursing trainee, had disappeared during her internship. Her father, concerned about her whereabouts, discovered that she was allegedly cohabiting with the clinical officer in Omodo Trading Centre, about 60 kilometers from Lira. The school administration then traced the duo, returned them to the institution, and subjected the male health worker to public punishment.
Eyewitnesses say the assault was intended as a warning to others, but legal experts argue that Mr. Odongo had no legal mandate to take such action.
“Discipline in educational settings must always adhere to the law,” said Asiimwe Anthony, Vice President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS). “No institution or individual is above the Constitution. We cannot condone mob justice or humiliation under the guise of moral protection.”
The Uganda Law Society has since confirmed that it is tracking the case, and that the Lira Regional CID is investigating the matter. Uganda Police Force spokesperson Mr. Kituuma Rusoketold journalists that Mr. Odongo will be arrested and charged appropriately.
“We’re treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves. The individual involved will be held accountable,” Rusoke said.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting from both civil society and professional bodies for the Ministry of Education and the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council to take disciplinary action and initiate an independent inquiry into the governance and disciplinary structures of the institution.
“This is not an isolated case,” said a human rights defender in Lira. “We’ve seen growing impunity in some private schools, where directors act like the law doesn’t apply to them. This case must set a precedent.”The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed for safety reasons, is reportedly pursuing legal action.
As the investigations continue, the incident has served as a grim reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority in institutions that are meant to foster care, discipline, and dignity
