education 25 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Ugandan Schools Defy Ministry Guidelines on Prom Parties
Despite clear directives from the Ministry of Education and Sports to curb extravagance and inappropriate behavior, several Ugandan schools have continued to host lavish prom parties. These events often feature luxury vehicles, expensive attire, and romantic pairings, sparking concerns about discipline and financial pressure on parents. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/education/did-schools-forget-govt-rules-on-prom-parties--5473090
In May 2025, Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports issued stringent guidelines aimed at regulating school social events, including prom parties. The directives sought to ban ostentatious displays of wealth, such as arriving in luxury cars or helicopters, wearing expensive outfits, and engaging in romantic behavior (‘coupling’). The ministry also mandated that all social events conclude by 6:00 PM, emphasizing the need for discipline and safety.
The new rules followed widespread public concern over the increasing commercialization of school events, which were seen as promoting indiscipline and placing undue financial burdens on parents. The Permanent Secretary, Ms. Kedrace Turyagyenda, noted the growing exposure of learners to “inappropriate, exploitative, and unsafe entertainment” and activities that contravene child protection principles.
While some institutions, like Mbarara High School, replaced traditional proms with supervised trips and Gayaza High School adhered strictly to the guidelines by not holding a prom last term, anecdotal evidence suggests many others have ignored the regulations. Students continue to arrive in luxury vehicles and engage in practices the ministry explicitly forbade.
Parents like Ms. Diana Twesigye have backed the guidelines, highlighting the financial relief they offer. However, she also urged the ministry to actively monitor schools and take action against those that disregard the rules. The Directorate of Education Standards is reportedly responsible for policy implementation, with head teachers to be held accountable for violations.
The trend of elaborate prom parties, often called ‘soshes,’ has become a significant cultural phenomenon in Ugandan secondary schools, particularly for graduating students. Borrowed from American culture, these events often include formal wear, expensive transportation, and entertainment, sometimes reaching national attention with extreme examples like students arriving by helicopter. The ministry’s intervention aimed to curb this culture, but enforcement appears to be a significant challenge.
For more details on government regulations concerning school events, refer to the Daily Monitor.