Rwanda National Police

Police in Nyagatare District, on Saturday, January 23, arrested one Jean Paul Uwamungu, a resident of Rwempasha Sector in Kenjojo after a report that he severely punished his 8-year old son resulting into bodily injuries.

Uwamungu beat his son severely on Friday, January 22, accusing him of skipping school, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.

The boy has since been admitted for further medical attention.

"The mother called the police reporting the violent punishment in the name of disciplining their child. The child was caned severely and was found with bruises on the stomach, bleeding on the neck injured on the forehead and on the eye. Uwamungu was handed over to RIB at Rwempasha station," CIP Twizeyimana explained.

It is the second case of violent corporal punishment in Nyagatare this year following a similar case in Minini Sector, Mahoro cell where another parent was arrested for severely beating his child using electric cables.

CIP Twizeyimana warned parents and guardians against severe punishment in form of managing children's behaviour, which amounts to criminal repercussion.

“No one should keep quiet about such inhuman punishments. As a parent, a neighbor and the general public, we need to jointly protect and promote the rights of children, and that include reporting any child-rights violations,” he said.

What is corporal punishment?

Corporal or physical punishment is an act of causing physical pain on a person with intent of disciplining him or her. It is most often practised on minors, especially in homes and school settings. 

Article 28 of Law No.71/2018 of 31/08/2018 relating to protection of the child, states:

"Without prejudice to heavier penalties provided by other laws, a person who harasses a child or imposes severe or degrading punishments including corporal sanctions, commits an offence. 

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years but not more than three years with a fine of between Rwf200,000 and Rwf300,000.

If the offence results in the child's disability, the imprisonment increased to between seven and ten years, and a fine of Rwf1 million to Rwf2 million."