ROAD TO 2026! M7 Directs Authorities to Fully Implement Free Education Policy as He Holds Massive Campaign in Mbarara

Amos Tayebwa – Mbarara
Hundreds of thousands of residents from Mbarara City and Mbarara District on Monday thronged Booma Grounds to welcome President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during his campaign rally. While addressing the crowds, the President issued a fresh directive ordering authorities to fully implement the policy of free education in all government schools.
President Museveni made the pronouncement in response to an appeal by Mbarara District NRM Chairman Prosper Tuhaise Kururagire, who told the rally that despite earlier directives, many government schools continue to charge tuition and other fees, locking out children from poor families.
Prosper Kururagire, Mbarara District NRM Chairman addressing the President
Museveni agreed with Kururagire’s concerns, saying the continued collection of fees in UPE and USE schools undermines the purpose of free universal education.
He ordered that beginning in the next school term of 2026, the directive on free education must be enforced without compromise.
“I am pleased with my son Prosper Kururagire for supporting my word on free education in government schools. In your next government, ensure that this directive is implemented,” Museveni said.
“I want to avoid going to hell. I don’t want to be punished by God for failing to help the child of a poor person to study for free. You will have failed to help God. I am working for heaven, not hell. Let’s work together so that children study for free. There is no loss in giving such services to the vulnerable. In future, those children will benefit this country.”
Despite the longstanding UPE and USE policies, most government schools still charge school fees and a variety of additional levies. Children whose parents cannot clear these fees are often sent back home until payments are made in full.
Museveni also urged his supporters to stop “working for the stomach only” and to participate actively in the money economy. He encouraged them to embrace self-employment and entrepreneurship since the government cannot provide jobs for everyone.
Presidential Advisor Peace Rugambwa echoed the call for mindset change, urging families to prioritize household prosperity.
“Prosperity for our homes first; other services will come later as we progress entirely. We stand with our President Museveni, and in him we trust that in the next five years, Uganda will fully enter the money economy,” Rugambwa said.
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