By President Yoweri Museveni has reiterated that education in government schools must be free, emphasizing that no child should be denied access due to financial constraints. Speaking during a campaign event in Kawempe North in support of NRM candidate Faridah Nambi, Museveni expressed concern over the continued imposition of school fees by public school leaders, despite the government’s clear policy on universal free education.
“I listened to the concerns of the community, and one pressing issue is the high expenses associated with government schools. We must ensure that children can attend these schools without any fees,” Museveni stated. “School leaders often give various excuses for continuing to charge parents. Unfortunately, I cannot be everywhere at once. That is why I urge you to elect Faridah Nambi, so she can come and implement these solutions in Kawempe.”
Museveni’s remarks come at a time when many parents across the country continue to struggle with hidden charges in government schools, including payments for meals, uniforms, and other operational costs, despite policies advocating for Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE).
Boosting Economic Prosperity Through PDM
Beyond education, Museveni also addressed economic concerns, emphasizing his government’s commitment to wealth creation through the Bonna Bagagawale (Prosperity for All) initiative and the Parish Development Model (PDM). He assured residents that the government would allocate more funds to urban parishes in Kampala due to their larger populations compared to rural areas.
“We will use PDM money to achieve this. We will allocate more money to the towns in Kampala because they have more people living in them compared to the parishes upcountry,” Museveni explained. He, however, questioned why Members of Parliament representing urban areas had not previously pointed out the need for more funding in densely populated city parishes.
Reflecting on Kawempe’s Transformation
During his visit to Kawempe North, Museveni nostalgically recalled his time fighting against former President Milton Obote’s forces in the area during the National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war.
“While in Kawempe, I couldn’t help but reminisce about my time fighting in these areas against President Obote. These are the places where I used to set ambushes for his forces,” Museveni remarked.
However, he noted that the area has since undergone a significant transformation, shifting from a battleground to a hub of economic activity. “Now, all those areas have been transformed into factories (amakolero). These factories provide jobs and create a market for people selling goods. You will either work in one of the factories or sell chapatis and other items to those who are employed there. The establishment of these factories is a result of the stability brought about by the NRM,” he added.
Museveni’s visit to Kawempe North highlights his administration’s continued focus on education, economic development, and industrialization as key pillars for Uganda’s progress. His strong stance on free government education sets the stage for further discussions on ensuring that policies aimed at benefiting citizens are fully implemented without loopholes.
As the Kawempe North by-election draws near, Museveni has urged voters to back the NRM’s Faridah Nambi, promising that her leadership will reinforce government efforts to uplift the community through free education and economic empowerment programs.
