Editorial
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called upon leaders at all levels to assess and determine whether parents in their communities are financially capable of paying school fees to enable the government to revise its policy on free education.
“The question to you, the leaders, whether political, religious, or cultural, is whether those people you see in the villages can afford school fees. You should answer that. The NRM observed that they could not and introduced free education. If they can pay for themselves, we can change the policy,” President Museveni said.
The President made the remarks on Friday, May 23rd, 2025, at a thanksgiving ceremony for Hon. Grace Mary Mugasa, the Minister of State for Public Service, held at Kisaaru-Kyabayanja village, Kimbugu Parish in Kabwoya sub-county, Kikuube district.
He highlighted the need to assess the financial capacities of families in their communities for clarity on whether parents are genuinely unable to pay or are merely unwilling.
“The other time in Ibanda (Ankole), while addressing a rally like this one, I asked if people like Deziranta, whom you have seen here (on the screens), who had no income, could afford to pay school fees or do they pretend they can do it?” the President noted.
According to President Museveni, this arises amidst ongoing challenges in implementing Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs, which he said are perpetrated by head teachers working with the school committees in many government schools to impose various school fees, including charges for extra teachers and lunch. He highlighted these challenges as major barriers to free education access.
“What I’m asking you is to discuss this for the good of the country. Are parents able to pay school fees? We can still pay for them up to 15 years, and after establishing that the poverty levels have reduced, we will review the policy. Do the research and come and advise us,” the President emphasized.
Kikuube district Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Canon Edward Busingye, informed President Museveni that out of 100 pupils who begin primary one, only 52 finish primary seven, and the number reduces further when they advance to secondary school.
