The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party President, Jimmy Akena has said Uganda is failing its children, teachers and health workers, warning that about two million children under five are stunted and that public schools and hospitals remain critically understaffed.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026, at Uganda House, Akena said some health facilities were operating with staffing levels as low as 17 percent, while government schools faced overcrowded classrooms and poor working conditions for teachers.
“Who are going to deliver the health service? The health workers. We must cater for them. Who are going to deliver education? It is the teachers. We must cater for them,” Akena said.
He repeated his warning that 26 percent of about 2.8 million children under five are stunted, with lasting consequences for brain development and future opportunities.
The UPC President noted that the problem was not confined to Karamoja, but was also evident in areas such as Kigezi because of poor nutrition.
Akena argued that education must provide practical skills to children who drop out before Primary Five, and that investment should begin with training teachers rather than simply expanding enrolment. He said UPE funding of UGX 20,000 per pupil was far below what is required to provide quality education.
He invited rivals for the presidency to debate substantive issues on health, education and agriculture rather than distractions.
Akena also said UPC would hold a delegates’ conference to address internal matters and noted that he had previously sought unity with other party members before the last election.
On public borrowing, Akena said loans were often poorly utilised and failed to reach productive sectors or the people who needed them most.
He asked about a proposal to give away City Square, Akena said he opposed it. Constitutional Square, he said, was a historical monument and green space that should be preserved rather than transformed into another concrete development.
