Court has ordered a teacher called Samuel Opio to pay 15 million Ugandan shillings (approximately £3,000) in compensation to a former student he assaulted two years ago. The student, Abraham Obadia, sustained a serious spinal cord injury in the assault and was left temporarily paralysed.
Sadly, two years on, Obadia is still struggling to speak and has been unable to return to school. The court heard that the teacher, Samuel Opio, assaulted Obadia, who was 19 years old at the time and a student at Amuria High School.
Abraham Opio was later arrested and charged, but released on bail on the condition he cover Obadia’s medical bills. The court case concluded this week, with the judge ordering Opio to pay 15 million Ugandan shillings in two instalments.
Although the court ruling brings some closure, Obadia’s mother, Grace Anabo, feels the compensation is inadequate. The family had to sell land and other assets to cover Obadia’s medical expenses when the school initially refused to help.
“The school refused to help us in treating our son, we have tried the law for two years and justice has been deliberately delayed because we are not rich. We have been selling our property since he started treatment up to now. I think that compensation is not enough for us” Grace Anabo painfully asserted.
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There is still uncertainty surrounding the long-term impact of Obadia’s injuries. Although he has undergone treatment at a specialist orthopaedic hospital, it’s unclear if he’ll ever fully recover or be able to return to education and this is all because Samuel Opio was rough on him.
