President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has once again called on government officials and education leaders to fully implement free education in public schools, warning that continued school charges are locking poor children out of classrooms.
The president made the remarks while commissioning the Greater Mubende Presidential Zonal Skilling Hub in Kitenga Sub-county, Mubende District.
While addressing leaders and residents at the event, President Museveni expressed frustration over the failure to follow through on the government’s Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programs, first introduced in 1996.
“I don’t want to use force on this matter. Discuss the issue of free education in government schools, including the technical schools. If we need to add more money to the government schools, we shall do it,” he said.
The President noted that the aim of free education was to provide equal opportunity to all children, but added that fees still being charged in schools were excluding learners from poor families.
“In the 1996 NRM manifesto, we proposed to introduce free education. However, you people refused to implement that, and up to now, there are school charges in primary and secondary schools,” he pointed out. “There are 11 million children in primary schools and only 2 million in secondary schools. So what happened to the 9 million? It is the refusal to implement UPE and USE,” he added.
Museveni explained that the skilling hubs are a practical way to show that free education works. He promised to expand the course offerings at the Mubende hub to include skills such as plumbing, weaving, motor mechanics, and textile work.
“Now the children are making shoes for us. We used to import shoes from China, you can imagine! We are now going to add those skills,” the President stated.
Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Hon Judith Nabakooba, said the skilling hub is already helping the youth in the region become self-employed and productive.
“Many have been employed, but others still need your support. The skilling hub has also addressed domestic violence in homes because you find the husband and wife are both working to put food on the table,” Nabakooba said.
During the event, the President recognized and supported three former trainees of the hub, Mr Ronald Kisekka, Ms Constance Twinomugisha, and Mr Mawejje Willy, each of whom started successful businesses in carpentry, baking, and hairdressing, respectively. He gave them UGX 10 million as a boost.
The event also saw the defection of a local opposition leader, Mr. Baganyire Joseph, who crossed from the National Unity Platform (NUP) to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), saying the government had fulfilled its promises.
The function was attended by Members of Parliament, LC5 chairpersons, and other leaders from the Greater Mubende region.
