School Heads Arrested Over Illegal Fees
School Heads Arrested Over Illegal Fees
The Ugandan government has intensified its campaign against illegal school charges after several school heads were arrested over illegal fees during a security operation in Namisindwa District. The operation was led by the State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara, together with security agencies and district officials.
During a surprise inspection at Namisindwa Senior Secondary School, authorities discovered that school administrators were allegedly collecting a mandatory school fee of UGX 65,000 from learners enrolled under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme. The government says such charges directly violate national education policies that guarantee free education in government-supported UPE and USE schools.
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Security Operation in Namisindwa District
According to government officials, the inspection formed part of nationwide efforts to ensure that all public schools comply with the Ministry of Education and Sports guidelines on free education. During the visit, investigators reportedly gathered evidence indicating that parents had been required to pay the unauthorized fees before students could fully access school services.
Following the discovery, the implicated school administrators were immediately handed over to security personnel and the District Police Commander (DPC) for further investigations and possible criminal prosecution.
Officials emphasized that no public school operating under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) or Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes should demand compulsory tuition or other unauthorized fees from parents.School Heads Arrested Over Illegal Fees
Illegal School Fees Violate Government Policy
The Ugandan government has repeatedly reminded school administrators that charging compulsory fees in UPE and USE schools remains illegal under existing government directives. These programmes were introduced to improve access to affordable education for children from all socio-economic backgrounds.
While some schools may request voluntary contributions for agreed development projects through lawful procedures, they cannot force parents to pay mandatory tuition or operational fees that contradict government policy.
Education officials say unauthorized charges discourage school attendance, increase dropout rates, and undermine efforts to achieve universal access to quality education across Uganda.
The Ministry of Education and Sports continues to encourage schools to work within approved funding frameworks while addressing operational challenges through lawful channels.
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Government Warns School Administrators
Government leaders have warned head teachers, school boards, and administrators against imposing illegal charges on learners. Authorities say inspections will continue across districts to identify schools violating education regulations.
Minister Balaam Barugahara stressed that protecting children’s right to free education remains a government priority and that individuals found exploiting parents through illegal fees will face legal consequences.
Education stakeholders have welcomed the crackdown, arguing that enforcing government policy will help restore public confidence in the Universal Primary Education and Universal Secondary Education programmes.
The Ministry has also encouraged district education officers to increase monitoring and ensure all government-aided schools fully comply with national education guidelines.
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Parents Urged to Report Illegal Charges
Parents and guardians have been urged to report any public schools demanding unauthorized fees under the UPE or USE programmes. Government officials say community cooperation is essential in identifying institutions that continue to disregard education policies.
Authorities encourage parents to report suspected violations to district education offices, Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), police, or the Ministry of Education and Sports. Prompt reporting will enable investigators to respond quickly and protect learners from unlawful financial demands.
Education experts also encourage parents to seek official clarification whenever schools introduce new charges, ensuring that all payments comply with government regulations.
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Conclusion
The School Heads Arrested Over Illegal Fees operation demonstrates the Ugandan government’s commitment to enforcing free education policies under the Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes. The arrests in Namisindwa District send a strong message that unauthorized school charges will not be tolerated.
As investigations continue, education authorities hope the enforcement action will deter similar violations across the country while protecting the right of every child to access free government-supported education. Continued inspections, public awareness, and cooperation between parents, schools, and government agencies will remain essential in strengthening Uganda’s education system.
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