The Uganda National Students’ Association (UNSA) has denounced the government’s crackdown on school fees in government-aided schools, alleging the policy has left students hungry, exacerbated teacher shortages, and disrupted education. UNSA Speaker Henry Martin Tendo criticized the initiative led by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, stating the measure failed to address student welfare or school financial needs. "We as students are suffering. Students are hungry, even teachers are hungry. Hon. Balaam stopped the payment of school fees in government-aided schools, but he did not bring food or teachers," Tendo said. The minister’s campaign targets what the government calls illegal fees charged by schools, aiming to shield parents from excessive charges. However, UNSA argues the policy has crippled schools reliant on parental contributions for meals, teacher hiring, and materials, forcing some to adopt day-school models due to resource constraints.
Tendo highlighted the inadequacy of the government’s capitation grant, which provides Shs60,000 per student per term for O-Level students. "This amount is insufficient for a full term, and students are expected to survive on it," he stated. The association also raised concerns about teacher shortages, noting some schools depend on Parent Teacher Association (PTA)-hired educators. "You find a school with only one teacher. What kind of learning is that?" Tendo questioned. He added that hunger is impairing student focus and attendance, with some abandoning afternoon classes to seek food. UNSA accused parents of misinterpreting the policy as absolving them of educational responsibilities, claiming some now frequent bars instead of supporting their children’s schooling.
UNSA has repeatedly sought dialogue with Minister Balaam and the Ministry of Education and Sports, but no response has been received, according to Tendo. On September 20, the association issued a statement demanding the reinstatement of lunch fees, increased teacher recruitment, and an urgent meeting between the ministry and stakeholders. It also appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to intervene, asserting the policy is harming learners in government-aided schools. The group emphasized that the campaign’s unintended consequences threaten educational quality and student well-being, urging immediate action to mitigate the crisis.
The controversy underscores broader tensions between government policy and grassroots realities in Uganda’s education sector. While officials frame the fees ban as a protective measure for parents, students and educators highlight systemic gaps in funding and resource allocation. With UNSA escalating its advocacy, the debate over balancing fiscal responsibility and educational access remains unresolved, leaving thousands of learners in limbo as the situation deteriorates.