Amuria Teacher Remanded for Breaking Student’s Spine

Samuel Opio, a teacher who is alleged to have canned and injured his student has been remanded to Amuria prison. He is accused of causing grievous harm to Abraham Obadia a learner at Amuria High School.

Obadia has since September 2023 been battling a spinal cord injury he allegedly suffered after being caned by Samuel Opio The Amuria High teacher was arrested by the Police on Thursday and later presented before the Grade One Magistrate’s Court. 

The magistrate, Isaac Nakoko read the charge to Samuel Opio and remanded him to Amuria Prison until 6th March 2024.  

Abraham Obadia, 20, was a senior-five student at Amuria High School before he suffered a spinal cord injury from his teacher’s cane. He is currently bedridden. Medical experts have suggested that he might require surgery if he is to get back on his feet.    

Obadia’s plight was highlighted by Uganda Radio Network early in February following reports that some powerful individuals were trying to shield the suspect canning teacher from being prosecuted. The stories have since attracted the attention of the Police in East Kyoga Regional Command who ordered immediate investigations into the matter.

Police in Amuria Central Police Station reportedly took up the matter by recording statements. Earlier reports indicated that Samuel Opio had last year been interrogated at Amuria Police station and released on bond.        

URN has also learned that there had been an attempt by the school administration to reach out to the victim’s parents for a possible settlement after some human rights activists got interested in the matter.