KAMPALA, Uganda | The High Court of Uganda has delivered a cautionary ruling emphasizing that teachers should not place themselves in jeopardy while enforcing student discipline. This message emerged from the recent case of Odetta Dennis v. St. Peters Senior Secondary School, Naalya Ltd, where Deputy Head Teacher Odetta Dennis sustained serious injuries after falling into a septic tank while attempting to discipline a student.

The incident took place in 2017, when Dennis, then serving as the Deputy Head Teacher, spotted a student hiding in the dormitory during class hours. In a bid to bring the student back to class, he pursued the student across the school premises but fell into an uncovered septic tank along the way. Dennis argued in court that the school had failed to provide a safe working environment and sought compensation for his injuries, as well as the return of a wedding gift car, which became part of the dispute.

Justice Ssekaana Musa, presiding over the case, acknowledged Dennis’s dedication to enforcing discipline but cautioned against actions that could put teachers in harm’s way. The judge stated that while schools have a duty to ensure a safe environment, this duty does not necessarily extend to covering every conceivable risk, especially those arising from voluntary, high-risk actions by employees.

In his ruling, Justice Ssekaana observed that “discipline should be managed within reasonable boundaries that prioritize teacher safety.” The court ultimately found that Dennis’s actions—while well-intentioned—fell outside the scope of safe practices expected within his role. Accordingly, the school was not held liable for his injuries, with the court emphasizing that schools should adopt structured systems for managing discipline without physical pursuits or high-risk responses from staff.

In a related part of the case, the court also addressed a dispute over a Toyota Premio car, which the school had presented to Dennis as a wedding gift but later sought to reclaim upon his resignation. After reviewing video evidence from the wedding, Justice Ssekaana confirmed that the car was indeed a personal gift to Dennis and his wife, which could not be withdrawn retrospectively.

The judgment has sparked sharp criticism within educational circles. Some argue that it may discourage teachers from disciplining students effectively, while others see it as a necessary step toward prioritizing safety in schools. Justice Ssekaana’s ruling highlights that while discipline is integral to school environments, it must be maintained within safe, structured protocols that protect both students and teachers.