education 25 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kagadi Authorities Arrest Six Directors for Operating Unlicensed Schools
Six directors and head teachers of private primary schools in Kagadi District have been arrested for operating without the necessary licenses from the Ministry of Education and Sports. The arrests occurred during a district-wide operation aimed at shutting down schools that failed to comply with licensing regulations. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/six-directors-arrested-as-kagadi-authorities-shut-unlicensed-schools-5473422
Authorities in Kagadi District have taken decisive action against private primary schools operating without valid licenses.
Police apprehended six school directors and head teachers on Monday, the same day the second school term commenced. The operation, spearheaded by the Deputy Resident District Commissioner and district school inspectors, targeted institutions that had previously ignored directives to obtain operational permits.
Schools such as Nyaruziba SDA Nursery and Primary School, Nankulabye Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, and Kitonzi Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, all in Kagadi Town Council, were found to be conducting lessons despite lacking the required licenses. Similar actions were taken against Elite Education Centre, City Light Nursery and Primary School, and Kurukuru Parents Nursery and Primary School in Mpeefu and Buyaga West.
Students who had reported to these unlicensed institutions were sent home, with parents urged to enroll them in legally recognized schools. According to Julius Alinda, Senior Inspector of Schools in Kagadi District, the operation is a consequence of proprietors defying earlier warnings and official closure orders issued by the Chief Administrative Officer.
A report from April 2026 indicated that approximately 200 private primary schools in Kagadi were operating without authorization. The district security committee has resolved to continue the crackdown until all unlicensed schools are shut down and their owners held accountable. Officials emphasize that licensing ensures schools meet essential standards in infrastructure, staffing, sanitation, safety, and educational quality, thereby protecting learners and upholding educational integrity.
The enforcement has caused frustration among some parents who had already paid fees and purchased school supplies, highlighting the need for better communication of such enforcement actions. However, other parents acknowledged the necessity of the crackdown, urging school proprietors to comply with government regulations to ensure their children’s education is within recognized and safe institutions.
By Monday evening, the arrested suspects were in police custody as investigations progressed. The operation is expected to continue until full compliance is achieved.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)