By Our Staff Reporter

Kampala, Uganda| August 19, 2026
The State House Education Desk has renewed its warning to administrators of Government-aided schools against imposing illegal charges on learners enrolled under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes.

The Desk warned that schools charging learners fees and other costs outside government guidelines risk undermining the objectives of universal education and denying children from poor and vulnerable families access to schooling.

Mr. Jimmy Nambiro, Head of the State House Education Desk and Private Secretary to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Education and Skilling, issued the warning on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at his office on Lumumba Avenue in Kampala.

Nambiro said the Government introduced UPE in 1997 and later expanded the programme through USE in 2007 to increase access to education, particularly for children from poor and vulnerable households.

He described universal free education as one of the flagship programmes of the National Resistance Movement Government aimed at ensuring that children from both rural and urban communities have access to education.

“The Universal Free Education is a flagship programme for the NRM Government that directly addresses the needs of education for the vulnerable poor Ugandans in both rural and urban areas,” Nambiro said.

Government Has Expanded Support to Schools

Nambiro said the Government continues to allocate resources to the education sector through the Ministry of Education and Sports to support infrastructure development, human resources, teaching materials, facilitation, training and capacity building in UPE and USE schools.

He noted that Uganda’s education system is supported by legal frameworks, including the Government White Paper and the Education Act, 2008, which provide a basis for education as a fundamental right.

According to Nambiro, the introduction of universal free education has significantly increased access to schooling across the country.

He said the number of school-going children has grown from about 2.5 million before the introduction of universal free education to approximately 10 million currently accessing education.

He added that literacy levels have also improved to approximately 85 percent.

The Government currently supports more than 12,551 primary schools and 1,615 secondary schools across the country, according to Nambiro.

He said the figures demonstrate the Government’s continued commitment to ensuring that children from disadvantaged communities are not excluded from education because of poverty.

State House Raises Concern Over Illegal Charges

Despite the progress made, Nambiro expressed concern over what he described as illegal charges imposed by some school administrators, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and school boards.

He said such practices undermine the principles of universal free education by shifting costs meant to be covered by the Government onto parents and guardians.

Among the alleged irregularities are illegal school fees, development charges, examination registration fees, ghost learners on school enrolment lists, ghost teachers and the alleged misuse or lack of accountability for capitation grants provided to schools.

Nambiro particularly criticised schools that demand examination registration fees from parents, noting that the Government pays registration fees for candidates sitting Primary Seven, O-Level and A-Level examinations.

“These are serious barriers to the access of free Universal Education meant to benefit the poor communities and they are against the law of Education Act of 2008 and the Presidential directives issued from time to time not to send any child under Universal Programme out of school,” he said.

He warned that such practices could damage public confidence in the Government and create the impression that presidential commitments on free education are not being implemented.

State House Intensifies Monitoring

The State House Education Desk has intensified monitoring of UPE and USE schools across the country to ensure that children are not pushed out of school because of illegal charges.

Nambiro called upon District Education Officers, school inspectors, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), District Internal Security Officers (DISOs), Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs), religious and cultural leaders, as well as political leaders from Local Council I to Parliament, to support efforts to protect the universal education programme.

He said the different stakeholders have a responsibility to identify and report school administrators who violate Government directives and education laws.

Nambiro warned that children dropping out of school because of illegal charges and other barriers could contribute to wider social problems, including teenage pregnancies and drug abuse.

He said preventing children from accessing education should therefore be treated as a serious societal concern requiring collective action.

Head Teachers, Education Officials Face Investigations

Nambiro revealed that the State House Education Desk is working with Government ministries and agencies, including the Anti-Corruption Unit under the Office of the President, to investigate reported irregularities in schools.

He said several head teachers, school inspectors and District Education Officers are currently facing investigations over alleged violations.

Those found culpable, he said, will face disciplinary or legal action.

“The State House Education Desk is to continue vigorously with field monitoring exercises in all schools across the whole country to ensure compliance,” Nambiro said.

He also revealed that members of the public are increasingly reporting cases of illegal charges directly to the State House Education Desk through its telephone line, 071 6095366, enabling the Desk to follow up on complaints and take appropriate action.

Warning to Schools Charging Learners

Nambiro emphasised that universal free education was introduced primarily to support children from poor and vulnerable families.

He warned that school administrators who impose charges on learners under Government’s free education programmes will face the law.

“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda did not introduce Universal Free Education for the rich. Therefore, anyone found charging for free Universal Education at all levels will face the law,” he said.

The State House Education Desk urged parents, communities and education stakeholders to report cases of illegal charges and other practices that prevent children from benefiting from UPE and USE.

Nambiro said continued cooperation between communities, education officials, security agencies, political leaders and cultural and religious institutions will be critical in protecting access to education and ensuring that the objectives of Uganda’s universal education programme are achieved.