While Uganda’s literacy levels have improved significantly in recent years, children have identified school fees, inadequate scholastic materials and negative peer influence as some of the barriers affecting their education and literacy development.
According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (Ubos), the literacy rate among people aged 10 years and above rose from 73.6 per cent in 2021/2022 to 85.3 per cent in 2024/2025.
However, children attending schools in Kiboga District say persistent challenges continue to affect their ability to learn and could undermine their prospects as they grow into responsible citizens.
The children spoke out on September 8 during activities to mark the 2026 International Literacy Day at the Azira Michael Youth Foundation Community Library in Bukomero Sub-county, Kiboga District.
Jimmy Musoke, a Primary Seven pupil at Bwanda Primary School, said being sent home over unpaid school fees can expose children to negative peer influence and increase the risk of dropping out.
‘When they chase you from school for school fees, you are forced to choose options of either dropping out of school or waiting for your parents to look for the money. At times the bad groups (peers) may tell you to drop out of school,’ he said.
Damalie Nansulo, a Senior Three student at Kitenda Baptist College, said girls face additional challenges as they travel to and from school, including negative influence from out-of-school youth and some boda boda riders.
‘A school girl who is always chased from school because of school fees may easily get diverted into bad behaviour by non-school-going groups. When the girls walk to school and back home, they meet different groups, especially the men that try to divert their minds. Several have dropped out of school as a result of this,’ she said.
Jennipher Nansikombi, a Primary Six pupil at Kaarsons Primary School in Kalokola, Bukomero Sub-county, said some pupils deliberately interfere with their classmates’ studies.
‘We have children that steal books among other properties with the intention of undermining the progress of others in their respective classes. You will find your notebook missing while some children will destroy other scholastic materials such as pens and pencils because they want you to fail in class. This can affect your performance,’ she said.
Beyond reading and writing
Ms Catherine Amia, the coordinator of the Community Libraries Association of Uganda (COLAU), said taking International Literacy Day celebrations to communities was part of efforts to raise awareness about literacy and promote reading among people of all ages.
She said literacy should not be understood as simply the ability to read and write, but should also include the ability to apply knowledge and skills in everyday life.
‘Literacy is not only about reading as commonly translated. It goes beyond the reading culture to practical skills application, including many of the survival skills,’ Ms Amia said.
She said recent reports indicate that many primary school learners continue to experience difficulties with comprehension, retention and applying functional literacy skills in their daily lives.
Through COLAU, about 53 community libraries have been mapped for literacy-related programmes targeting both children and adults.
Ms Amia said the Azira Michael Youth Foundation Community Library in Bukomero is among the 53 libraries linked to the ongoing literacy awareness campaigns.
Community libraries
Ms Brenda Nakato, a projects coordinator at the Azira Michael Youth Foundation Mansueto Community Library in Bukomero Sub-county, said the library aims to improve literacy levels in the community by providing access to reading and learning materials.
She said books and other reading materials are available at no cost to children and other community members.
‘The objective of the library is to boost the literacy levels of the community in Kiboga District through availing learning materials such as books for both children and adults to enhance their literacy levels,’ she said.
The 2026 International Literacy Day was marked on September 8 under global efforts to promote literacy as a fundamental skill and strengthen access to learning opportunities.
Uganda’s reported improvement in literacy levels notwithstanding, the experiences shared by children in Kiboga highlight the need to address the social, economic and educational barriers that can prevent learners from fully benefiting from schooling.