President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has called for the revival of free education in government schools, blaming the introduction of fees for the high dropout rates in primary and secondary schools.
Speaking at Nakabango in Jinja City during the commissioning of the Busoga Zonal Presidential Industrial Hub, Museveni urged National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in the region to restore the original vision of free education. He emphasized that government schools were meant to operate without financial burdens on parents, apart from providing meals for their children.
“The idea was to have a day primary school in every parish and a day secondary school in every sub-county. The government would cover teachers’ salaries, books, and other necessities,” Museveni said. “However, fees were introduced, and now children from poor families cannot continue with education.”
The President warned that abandoning free education undermines national development and called for urgent action to remove financial barriers in learning institutions.
Museveni also highlighted the role of Presidential Skilling Hubs in equipping youth with practical skills at no cost. He noted that the hubs align with the new curriculum, which focuses on developing the head, heart, and hands.
“These centers show that education can be provided without financial burdens,” Museveni said. He advised parents to guide their children into productive sectors such as commercial agriculture, artisanship and manufacturing, services like tailoring and bakery, and ICT.
During the event, Museveni announced plans to expand the training programs at the Busoga Zonal Presidential Hub to include motor vehicle engineering, computer engineering, and plumbing. Established in 2023, the hub currently trains 240 students in carpentry, tailoring, hairdressing, bakery, building and construction, and leather processing.
Rt. Hon. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Woman MP for Kamuli District, commended Museveni for empowering unemployed youth. She requested the establishment of another Presidential Hub in Busoga to cater to the growing number of students.
Ezra Gabula, chairperson of the Busoga Zonal Presidential Hub, praised Museveni’s leadership in promoting skilling programs. He noted that many youth in Busoga have secured employment through the hub but cited challenges such as inadequate transport and financial support for the hub’s SACCO.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the 3rd Deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, Minister for Presidency Babirye Milly Babalanda, Members of Parliament, Resident District Commissioners, and religious leaders.
