Government-aided schools under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes are facing serious operational challenges due to inadequate and delayed funding. Many institutions are now relying on parents for financial support, a move that contradicts the original intent of free education and has triggered widespread dropouts, especially in rural areas.
Initially launched to offer free and compulsory education to every child, UPE was meant to cover essential costs like instructional materials, utilities, and minor school repairs. However, school administrators, such as a head teacher from Kamuli District who spoke anonymously, admit that insufficient government support has left them with no choice but to request parent contributions to keep schools running.
During his 2025 State-of-the-Nation Address, President Yoweri Museveni reported that the UPE programme now serves over 8.8 million learners across more than 12,400 government-aided primary schools, with government spending reaching Shs184.49 billion. Additionally, 413 new classrooms have been constructed, and 181 others renovated. The government also distributed science kits to 334 schools and recruited nearly 600 teachers for new secondary schools, alongside completing 50 more seed secondary schools through the UgIFT initiative.
Despite these efforts, the reality on the ground remains bleak for many. Mothers like Mariam Naigaga from Kamuli District expressed frustration at having to pay fees despite promises of free education. Her experience echoes a broader concern shared by education analysts such as Wilfred Egesa, who attributes the breakdown in service delivery to chronic underfunding since the inception of UPE in 1997 and USE in 2007. Experts like Judith Akurut highlight overcrowded classrooms and insufficient teacher-student engagement as major drawbacks. The government provides a Shs1.4 million allocation per school for utilities, but reports suggest mismanagement and misuse of these funds.
Masaka City’s Resident City Commissioner, Ahamada Washaki, criticized educators who shift personal financial burdens onto students by demanding illegal payments. According to him, some teachers with outstanding loan obligations pass the pressure onto families—behavior that undermines the programme’s goals. Investigations by the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) in Luweero District revealed over 140 complaints from parents regarding unauthorized school charges. The EOC reminded school administrators that such actions are illegal and worsen social inequality by increasing dropout rates.
The State House Anti-Corruption Unit, represented by spokesperson Mariam Natasha, confirmed receiving reports about illegal fees in UPE schools. In Rukungiri District, a head teacher and seven Parent-Teacher Association members were arrested for collecting fees and sending away students who could not pay—violations of the Education Act. Similar arrests occurred in Kasese District in 2023, where some head teachers charged Shs70,000 per learner in defiance of national policy.
To reinforce the principle of free education, authorities maintain that such enforcement actions signal the government’s dedication to upholding UPE policy. Currently, the UPE programme allocates Shs20,000 per child annually to cover operational needs, including classroom maintenance and instructional resources.
However, several education stakeholders, including the Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) and the National Planning Authority (NPA), argue that this amount falls short of actual needs. The NPA recommends an increase to approximately Shs59,503 for rural pupils and Shs63,546 for those in urban areas. Akurut adds that beyond raising capitation grants, the government should also boost investment in teacher salaries, infrastructure, and learning materials to bridge funding gaps.
Parents from different districts have shared painful stories of their children being forced out of school due to unaffordable fees. In Busia District, Phoebe Nafula said her daughters were expelled after she failed to raise Shs55,000, with one girl subsequently entering early marriage. The burden is particularly heavy in rural communities, where families already grapple with poverty. Unofficial charges have been blamed for exposing children to early marriages, domestic labor, and other forms of exploitation.
Some schools have reportedly turned away students or subjected them to public humiliation over unpaid fees, discouraging them from returning. Although both the Ministry of Education and the Uganda National Examinations Board have repeatedly warned against illegal fees, many head teachers cite inadequate and delayed funding as reasons for resorting to these “coping mechanisms.”
One school head in Namutumba District acknowledged the issue, admitting that limited resources leave administrators with few options. Civil society groups are now urging the government to take stronger action against schools that violate UPE policy and ensure equitable access to education.
Retired nursery school teacher Angella Apio said there is rising concern across the country that UPE is no longer truly free. Parents, educators, and activists argue that unofficial charges are undermining the goal of universal education and contributing to Uganda’s dropout crisis. Apio warned that the failure to address these hidden costs could condemn an entire generation to poverty and lost opportunities. She noted that while capitation grants are issued for each child, many schools continue to impose extra fees for exams, development, registration, and classroom maintenance—creating financial barriers for the very families the programme was meant to support.