education 13 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
EOC Report Reveals Hidden Barriers Blocking Free Education for Uganda's Minority Children
A new Equal Opportunities Commission study highlights how hidden costs, long distances, teacher shortages, and cultural mismatches prevent children from minority communities in regions like Karamoja and Rwenzori from benefiting from Uganda's Universal Primary Education program. Despite high enrolment, 40 percent of pupils drop out before completing primary school amid a 65:1 pupil-teacher ratio. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/the-challenges-hindering-free-education-programme-5422290
A year-long study by Uganda’s Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has uncovered deep-rooted obstacles denying thousands of children from 20 minority ethnic groups access to free education under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) policies.
The research, focused on regions including Mount Elgon, Karamoja, Rwenzori, and West Nile, points to hidden expenses like uniforms, meals, books, and transport that burden poor families. Petua Babrye Isabirye, EOC’s head of research, noted these costs make free education feel theoretical for vulnerable households.
Remote locations force children, especially girls, to trek long distances to school, boosting dropout rates. Overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and absenteeism plague these areas, while the curriculum ignores minority languages and cultures, leaving many students lost in instruction.
EOC chairperson Safia Nalule Juuko stressed uneven completion rates despite improved enrolment. She advocates integrating minority languages in early education, hiring local teachers, boosting funding for infrastructure, and subsidizing hidden costs.
Parents like Joan Akidi from subsistence farming backgrounds shared frustrations: schools send children home over unpaid ‘small’ fees for essentials, forcing tough choices between food and schooling.
Ministry of Education spokesperson Dennis Mugimba acknowledged plans for boarding sections in high-risk areas like Sebei and Karamoja to cut travel. He clarified capitation grants (Shs20,000 yearly for UPE, Shs175,000 for USE) cover materials but not transport, meals, or uniforms—parents’ duty per presidential guidance.
While UPE/USE boasts 8.8 million primary pupils (95% enrolment) and gender parity, challenges persist: 40% dropout rate and 65:1 pupil-teacher ratio. Capitation rates stayed flat for 2025/2026 despite pleas for hikes.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)