By Aggrey Baba
The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has fired a stern warning shot at public servants sabotaging Uganda’s free education system, describing their actions as a betrayal of the nation’s future.
While meeting over 200 chief administrative officers (CAOs), town clerks, and undersecretaries at State House Entebbe on Sunday, the resident put the issue of illegal school fees under the spotlight.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) boss urged that Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) are being quietly dismantled by school heads charging parents for services meant to be free.
“We said Bonnabasome (education for all). But now, some schools have turned it into a money-making venture.” Museveni said. “Why do we have fewer children moving from Primary Seven to secondary school? It’s because of illegal fees. This is sabotage.”
The President criticized the mushrooming of boarding schools in the name of public education, insisting they burden struggling families. “We don’t need boarding schools to offer free education. Let the children sleep at home. These extra costs are suffocating poor families,” he said.
The warrior urged CAOs and town clerks to enforce the no-fees policy without fear or favour. “If we lose our grip on free education, we lose our grip on national transformation,” he warned.
The man from Rwakitura also condemned the persistent theft of drugs in government health centers and decried land grabbing, especially when aided by big names in security forces. He pledged to issue an executive order to bar soldiers from meddling in land disputes.
Museveni also revisited the four-acre model for smallholder farming as a pathway to wealth creation, encouraging families to grow income-generating crops and rear animals.
The old man’s tone was both firm and hopeful that, “If we clean up education, stop stealing in health, and help families create wealth, Uganda will not just move forward, but will also take off.”
[When the roots are deep, there’s no reason to fear the wind]. This makes the President’s message clear, that Uganda can be made a better place if all government programmes are enforced. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
