Museveni’s New UPE Plan

By Our reporter

BUIKWE – President Yoweri Museveni has promised a new Universal Primary Education (UPE) campaign, to rejuvenate the learning scheme introduced twenty-seven years ago. The program started in 1997 for free access to primary education has been criticized for substandard teaching mostly accessed by the poor who cannot afford private school.

“On my way to Jinja, Maama Janet (Museveni) and I stopped in Nyenga, Buikwe District and interacted with the wananchi (Public), many of whom were children. It was disturbing to find out that many of these children are not in school because teachers have expelled them due to nonpayment of fees. The NRM (National Resistance Movement) government introduced UPE in 1997, but the head teachers and PTA (Parents Teachers Association) are abusing it,” President Museveni posted on his X account.

Adding, “If the capitation grant is not sufficient, they should inform us so that we can provide additional funding instead of sending these children out of school. Therefore, in the coming financial year or the one after, we will initiate a new campaign on this issue.”

Education is the 4th most funded item on the national budget receiving over Shs3.6 trillion the results are yet to be felt at the primary level.