education 7 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
State House Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Illegal Fees in Government Schools
State House Education Desk is spearheading a countrywide operation against government schools charging unauthorized fees to protect universal education access for poor families. The move addresses complaints from various fees and practices that undermine free schooling. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/state-house-to-crack-down-on-govt-schools-levying-illegal-fees-5415318
State House officials have announced a comprehensive crackdown on illegal fees imposed by government-aided schools across Uganda. The initiative, led by the Education Desk and Anti-Corruption Unit, aims to safeguard universal education for children from low-income backgrounds.
Jimmy Nambiro, head of the State House Education Desk and President Museveni’s private secretary for education and skilling, emphasized that free education is a fundamental right. He accused some head teachers and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) of undermining this by demanding extra charges for development, UNEB registration, feeding, coaching, and stationery.
Nambiro noted that schools illegally send pupils out of class for non-payment, despite government capitation grants of Shs20,000 per learner annually covering essentials like staff, infrastructure, and operations. Investigations reveal inflated enrollment figures and mandatory feeding programs, which should be voluntary.
The crackdown follows backlash in Bugisu, where local leaders like Mbale City Industrial Division Mayor Muhamood Masaaba criticized arrests, such as that of Bumageni Army Barracks Primary School head teacher Samuel Wamimbi. Masaaba claimed school managers are filling government funding shortfalls, while Bugisu Cultural Institution speaker Stephen Masiga condemned the use of police or military in enforcement.
However, Mbale City education officer Hason Kirunda stated that no illegal fees were found in city schools, with all charges approved by boards and PTAs.