By Aggrey Baba
The Church of Uganda has strongly opposed the government’s proposal to collect school fees through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), warning that the move could hinder school development and autonomy.
Speaking at Mengo Senior School during a thanksgiving service for the Directorate of Education Services, Archbishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, reaffirmed the Church’s stance against the policy.
Kaziimba was responding to reports that the government planned to centralize school fee collection through URA, a move that would affect schools founded by the Church of Uganda.
He emphasized that Church of Uganda schools are not public institutions, citing Section 13(iii) of the Education Act 2008, which classifies them as government grant-aided schools.
Following these developments, the Provincial Board of Education, chaired by Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe, convened on March 27, 2025, and resolved that Church of Uganda schools should not be part of the proposed system. The Board cited multiple concerns, including potential disruptions to school operations and development projects.
“The Board highlighted numerous detrimental effects of the URA arrangement and, therefore, declared that Church of Uganda schools shall not be part of this policy,” Archbishop Kaziimba stated. He further noted that discussions with sister churches under the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) would be pursued to collectively advise the government on the matter.
Despite the disagreement, Archbishop Kaziimba expressed gratitude for the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue and hoped for an amicable resolution. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
