Museveni urges Ugandans to embrace free education
Museveni stressed that the continued charging of fees in government schools contributes to high dropout rates. He cited that out of 11 million primary school students, only 2 million proceed to secondary school.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated his call for Ugandans to support the government’s free education strategy in public schools.
Speaking at the closure of the Mothers’ Union Buganda conference in Luwero District on September 1, 2024, Museveni emphasized that the current approach to education needs to change to ensure access for all children.
“Our strategy was to provide affordable education for all Ugandans,” Museveni stated. He explained that the government aims to move away from costly boarding schools to day schools to cut costs associated with accommodation, feeding, and utilities. The strategy, he said, would leave parents only responsible for uniforms and lunch.
Museveni stressed that the continued charging of fees in government schools contributes to high dropout rates. He cited that out of 11 million primary school students, only 2 million proceed to secondary school.
“We need to have consensus. Our proposal is to have Universal Primary and Secondary Education (UPE and USE) government schools as day schools, enabling the government to focus on infrastructure and teacher salaries,” he added.
The President, accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni, also praised the Mothers’ Union for their dedication to Christian values and their efforts to transform their families, communities, and the nation. He highlighted the importance of practical Christian living, including economic self-sufficiency and community support.
Janet Museveni congratulated the women on organizing a successful conference and urged them to continue promoting stable families and Christian values.
She also encouraged mothers to take a leading role in ensuring that all children benefit from free education in government schools.
The conference, which gathered women from six dioceses in the Buganda region, focused on themes of sustainable development and community transformation. Activities included health camps, skills training in agriculture, value addition, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship.
The President of the Mothers’ Union Buganda, Ms. Josephine Kasaato, thanked President Museveni and the First Lady for their support and outlined the skills participants gained during the conference. The event also featured spiritual and practical teachings aimed at empowering women in their roles as leaders in faith and community development.
