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Uganda must mobilise domestic resources to transform education

Uganda’s commitment to education as a driver of human capital development remains unquestionable. However, the numbers tell a different story, a story of a sector whose financing is stagnating while national priorities continue to expand, a story of crowded classrooms, a story of underpaid and demotivated teachers, a story that needs to be flipped for the mentioned commitment to result into tangible benefits.

Over the last five years, Uganda’s budget grew by an impressive 59 percent from Shs45.5 trillion in Financial Year (FY) 2020/2021 to Shs72.4 trillion in FY2025/2026. In contrast, the education budget increased by only 36 percent, from Shs3.7 trillion to Shs5.04 trillion.

This slower growth means, relative to the overall budget, education’s share continues to shrink even as the number of learners and the demand for better learning outcomes surge, which can be attributed to challenges in revenue mobilisation or poor prioritisation.

Domestic resources are the most reliable source of financing for education due to its predictability. Uganda’s domestic revenue has grown steadily, from Shs25.2 trillion in FY2022/2023 to a projected Shs37.2 trillion in FY2025/2026. One would think that this growth in both revenue and budget would match the growth in social sector financing but that is not the case.

Much of this growth in revenue is being swallowed by debt repayments with interest payments alone nearly doubling from Shs5.9 trillion in FY2022/2023 to Shs11.3 trillion in FY2025/2026 and public debt stock reaching Shs116.2 trillion in October 2025 up from Shs94.7 trillion in 2024 showing a 26 percent increase, a trend that is concerning.

Every shilling spent on debt interest is a shilling less for classrooms, teachers, and other education programmes. Uganda’s education sector remains reliant on external financing. Between FY2022/2023 and FY2023/2024, Shs456 billion (about 7.5 percent of the sector’s Shs6,075 billion financing) came from donors.

Over the past five years OECD-DAC countries provided roughly $821.4 million (Shs2.85 trillion), and Uganda is currently implementing donor-funded education projects worth about $345 million (Shs1.19 trillion). While these projects are critical, they also highlight a dependence that makes key reforms donor-driven and vulnerable to funding shocks, which create major education service delivery gaps.

To overcome, education financing challenges, Uganda needs to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation through a combination of tax policy reforms, administrative efficiency, and improved transparency.

The tax base must be broadened to bring new taxpayers. With a tax-to-GDP ratio below 14 percent, which is far below the Sub-Saharan African average of 18 percent, and 72 percent of businesses, 78 percent of the labour force, and over half of GDP in the informal sector, a significant share of the economy remains untaxed while overburdening the existing taxpayers.

By only reducing tax exemptions and redirecting the recovered revenue to education, the sectors financing could be substantially boosted.

In FY2022/2023 alone, the country lost Shs2.97 trillion in potential revenue through tax exemptions, according to the Tax Expenditure Report of 2024. This was equivalent to 71.2 percent of the Shs4.17 trillion allocated to education in that year. Yet there is no proof of economic benefits from these exemptions.

There is also a need to improve tax administration. Simplifying processes for small taxpayers and earmarking a portion of ‘sin taxes’ for education can boost revenues. With greater transparency, effective financial management, and citizen oversight, Uganda can build a resilient financing system that guarantees every child access to quality education.

FG urged to designate Katampe Hill and Waterfalls as National Park

A former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Abiodun Afolabi, has called on the Federal Government to designate Katampe Hill and Waterfalls as a National Park.

He described the move as crucial to safeguarding Nigeria’s environmental heritage, promoting sustainable tourism, and ensuring long-term water security for surrounding communities.

Prof. Afolabi made the call during the official unveiling of the ‘Where Rivers Are Born’ – Save Katampe Hill and Waterfalls, Restoration and Legal Personhood Campaign, held in Abuja over the weekend.

The initiative was organised by the Foundation for the Conservation of Nigerian Rivers (FCNR) in collaboration with the Earth Law Centre, USA-Africa Program, and other partners.

Describing Katampe Hill as the ‘heart of Nigeria and the birthplace of rivers,’ Prof. Afolabi emphasised that the campaign was not merely about conservation but about redefining Nigeria’s relationship with nature.

‘Katampe Hill and its waterfalls are more than topographical features; they are sacred birthplaces of rivers that sustain ecosystems, communities, and cultures.

‘We are not just unveiling a campaign; we are unveiling a new way of thinking, one that recognises that environmental protection is no longer optional; it is existential,’ he said.

Prof. Afolabi, who was represented at the event by Bayero Kasim, a former director at the Ministry of Environment, explained that designating Katampe as a National Park would not only protect its fragile ecosystem from encroachment and degradation but would also create new opportunities for environmental education, scientific research, and eco-tourism, thereby contributing to Nigeria’s sustainable economic development.

In his welcome address, Irikefe V. Dafe, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Conservation of Nigerian Rivers and Africa Lead, Earth Law Centre, said the initiative marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s environmental movement, uniting restoration, rights recognition, and community engagement.

He noted that the initiative aims to restore sacred headwaters and ecosystems, beginning with Katampe Hill and Waterfalls; advocate for legal recognition of rivers and freshwater ecosystems as living entities; and reconnect people, especially youth, with rivers as sources of life and spirituality.

Dafe explained that the legal personhood campaign, supported by environmental lawyers, civil society organisations, and traditional custodians, aligns Nigeria with a growing international movement that includes countries such as Ecuador, New Zealand, India, and Uganda, where ecosystems have been granted legal rights.

Also speaking at the event, Dr Austin Maho, Vice Chairman of the Katampe Residents Association, pledged the full support of residents for the campaign, describing it as a timely intervention to halt years of encroachment and degradation around the mountain.

Otters’ Pearl shimmers in Kasarani

Uganda’s rising swimming star Nisha Pearl Najjuma is aptly named.

Pearls, reportedly, symbolize wisdom, purity, love, and resilience. They are also associated with emotional balance, loyalty, and new beginnings

All these are features that can describe the lanky 12 year old swimmer that is taking Ugandan swimming by storm.

Najjuma is a multi-medal winner in various domestic galas for her club Otters and Kampala Junior School. Her success on the local scene has ensured that she has already represented Uganda twice at the Africa Zone III Swimming Championships.

Last year, at the 9th edition held in a short course (25m) pool in Burundi, Najjuma embraced her new beginnings by topping the 12 and Under girls in the 100m and 200m backstroke, bagging silver in the 50m backstroke and bronze in the 200m breaststroke, then finished 4th and 5th in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events respectively.

At the 10th edition held last week in a more challenging long course (50m) pool at Kasarani Aquatic Centre, Nairobi, Najjuma doubler her collection to eight as she waved ‘goodbye’ to the 12 and Under age group.

Her gold medals came from the 200m (2:50.98), 100m (1:18.65), and 50m (35.07) backstroke events, plus the 200m (3:07.59), 100m (1:26.22) and 50m (39.17) breaststroke events. Najjuma also had silver in the 200m individual medley (2:53.84) and bronze in the 50m butterfly (33.76) – only missing a medal in the 100m freestyle (1:16.41).

Her gold collection ensured she was crowned the best swimmer in her age category with 40 medal points.

“I believe that doubling the medals alone shows I am improving,” Najjuma said in the aftermath of the competition.

Najjuma, who trains with her club and coach at Centenary Park, says there are no secrets to her performance but “just consistency in training.”

Even in the midst of celebrations as Uganda were crowned champions, Najjuma was already thinking of where to improve. Which for her age is a marvel.

“My freestyle is still off but I am changing my mentality about it. I want to just give my best in every race and not stress about medals,” Najjuma said of her struggles in the only stroke she did not medal.

The age group was also more competitive this time as Kenya and Tanzania wanted to win as much as Uganda did but the resilience of this soft-spoken swimmer got her to the top of the group.

“It feels good to beat this sort of competition but there is definitely a lot of work to do.

“At home, the competition is not as stiff, so maybe I am in a bit of a comfort zone. But I have to work harder with such competitions in my mind because I cannot just come here to swim and finish,” Najjuma added.

Loyalty and royalty

If she returns to Zone III next year, Najjuma will compete in a tighter 13-14 age group. As she advances, there will be even more summons, from Uganda Aquatics, for bigger competitions.

Fortunately for her, the swimming environment is full of camaraderie and she is already making the most out of it even though she knows she has to bide her time.

“I am inspired by my teammates on the national team. Many of them are able to go that extra mile that I cannot go yet. And I am always open to learning from them.

“I do not want to get ahead of myself in terms of goals and what I want to achieve as a swimmer. I will take it one step at a time, put in the work, and see where that takes me,” Najjuma, who adopted the sport from her father and has since developed her own passion for it, said.

One sure next step is that she will be sitting her Primary Leaving Examinations on November 3 and 4. The decision to represent her country in such a demanding Championship, two weeks prior to the examinations is a mark of loyalty and sacrifice for her team.

At a glance

Name: Nisha Pearl Najjuma

Age: 12

School: Kampala Junior School

Class: P.7

Club: Otters

Major events for Uganda: Africa Aquatics Zone III 2024 (Burundi), 2025 (Kenya)

Medals this year:

Gold: All breaststroke and backstroke events (50m,100m, 200m)

Silver: 200m IM

Bronze: 50m fly

’Nigeria needs predictable policies to drive reform success’

A fiscal policy expert and member of the Presidential Fiscal and Tax Reforms Committee, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, has called for stronger synergy between government and the private sector to build sustainable and inclusive enterprises capable of withstanding global and domestic economic shocks.

Delivering the keynote address at the ‘Government Meets Business’ Dinner of the 2025 Annual Directors Conference of the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD) Nigeria in Abuja, Uwaleke said Nigeria’s economic transformation requires bold leadership, policy predictability, and integrity-driven collaboration between public institutions and businesses.

Speaking on the theme ‘Leading Through Change: Building Sustainable and Inclusive Enterprises,’ Uwaleke described the conference as a timely platform for dialogue between policymakers and business leaders in an era marked by rapid technological disruption, fiscal reforms, and global uncertainty. ‘Leadership cannot be about maintaining comfort zones; it must be about confronting hard choices and making deliberate shifts for long-term stability,’ he said.

He commended the federal government’s recent economic reforms – including the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of exchange rates, and enactment of the Nigerian Tax Reform Acts 2025 – describing them as bold moves aimed at restoring transparency and fiscal balance.

However, he stressed that reform implementation must be accompanied by stakeholder buy-in and sustained policy consistency to yield long-term benefits.

Highlighting three ‘pillars of synergistic leadership’ – policy predictability, governance, and inclusive growth – the fiscal expert said Nigeria’s private sector does not crave incentives as much as it does stability and transparency.

‘Businesses can plan for highs and lows, but they cannot plan in a fog of policy inconsistency,’ he said.

On governance, Uwaleke urged both public and private leaders to uphold integrity and accountability, describing them as ‘the non-negotiable currency of trust.’

Drawing lessons from countries such as Singapore, Rwanda, and Malaysia, Uwaleke said policy clarity, digital efficiency, and inclusion in value chains are critical for sustainable growth.

‘The common thread in all these examples is clear: governments that provide clarity, coordination, and credibility create the conditions for businesses to thrive,’ he said.

Uwaleke urged directors to become ambassadors of reform, promoting transparency and compliance within their organizations.

‘Let this not just be a meeting, but a partnership – a marriage built on shared purpose. A Nigeria that works for all is one where our enterprises are sustainable because they are inclusive, and inclusive because they are sustainable,’ he said.

In his opening remarks, Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIoD Nigeria, said the engagement came at a time when global and domestic economies faced significant strain, but also great opportunity.

He said collaboration between government and business is crucial for achieving inclusive growth and governance discipline.

‘Our mission is clear: to create an environment where governance inspires trust, and enterprise delivers prosperity. That is the work of a resilient Nigeria,’ Oyebanji said.

Mabirizi promises agriculture processing industries in Kayunga

The Conservative Party presidential candidate, Mr Elton Joseph Mabirizi, has promised to build agriculture processing industries in Kayunga District to increase household incomes of farming communities if elected.

Mr Mabirizi, who was on Friday campaigning in Kayunga, said despite the district being one of the food basket areas in the country, farmers in the district are stuck in abject poverty because they sell their agricultural produce in raw form, which fetches them little money.

‘When you elect me to succeed Tibuhaburwa (President Museveni), I am going to build small-scale industries in this area, which will add value to pineapples, tomatoes, bananas, and coffee so that you earn more from your sweat. I am aware that they buy your pineapples at low prices and sometimes you throw them away during harvesting seasons, but this is going to end as soon as I am elected president,’ Mr Mabirizi told a crowd near Kayunga Central Market in Kayunga Town.

A pineapple juice processing factory constructed by the government in Busaale Village in Kayunga Sub-county has, since 2023, when its construction was concluded, been lying idle over ownership wrangles between a local pastor and the government. Because of this, farmers have continued to sell their produce to middlemen at low prices.

Federal system

Mr Mabirizi also advocated for a federal system of governance, explaining that with this system of governance, there will be equitable development in all regions since taxes from each region would be used to develop the areas it is collected. He said under unitary governance, taxes are collected and taken to the centre, from where it is distributed among regions ‘inequitably’ ‘When I go into power, I will reduce taxes on motorcycles so that boda boda riders can buy them at a low cost of Shs2.5 million instead of the current exorbitant cost of Shs7 million,’ The presidential candidate also reiterated that he will give the incumbent President Museveni protection if he becomes head of state.

He said the President is investing a lot of taxpayers’ money to buy guns ‘because he fears the power of the people.’

‘Some presidential candidates are promising to cut off President Museveni’s head when they go into power, but for me, I promise that I will forgive him for all the wrongs he has committed against Ugandans and I will let him live peacefully in this country,’ he said. Addressing Muslims at Namagabi mosque in Kayunga Town soon after Friday prayers, Mr Mabirizi promised to ensure that Muslims are not arrested over ‘trumped-up charges’.

During his rally in Busaana Town, Mr Mabirizi conducted a mock presidential election where hundreds of residents in attendance voted for their choice among the eight candidates. Mr Mabirizi emerged the winner, drawing ululations from supporters.

Firm unveils mini city in P/Harcourt

A mini-city within the Garden City to be known as the PH-Airport City has been unveiled in the Rivers State capital.

The estate located near the Port Harcourt International Airport in the Omagwa area of the state is said to be a piece of investment initiative to attract back topmost executives most of whom fled the Garden City in recent years in the wake of threats of insecurity.

The mini-city, PH-AirportCity is planned to commence with 2000 houses which is to be implemented in phases. The scheme is a partnership between the Rivers State Government through the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPCDA) and Masta Services Company Limited ably superintended by Ugo Ohuabunwa, a renowned and career professional builder with 40 years of experience in the design, construction, engineering and building profession.

The project is propelled by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) known as Masta-Rivers Development Company Limited with 70% to the private equity holder (Masta Services Company Limited) and 30% to the GPCDA on behalf of the Rivers State government.

In his presentation, Ugo Ohuabunwa, the Managing Director and CEO of Masta Services, who is doubles as the Managing Partner of Masta-Rivers Development Company Ltd, said concerned developers were aggrieved that the city was undergoing infrastructure decay, requiring urgent action, hence, the idea of a mini-city within the city.

He reminded investors that ‘Port Harcourt was a unique city connected to Aba (Abia State), Uyo (Akwa Ibom State), Owerri (Imo State), Onit

sha (Anambra State), and Yenagoa (Bayelsa State) in a matter of between an hour or two.,’

He said ‘We want to change that; we want to create a mini city in the main city for the highest class. This will free space for the middle class. The new city is deliberately located close to the Port Harcourt International Airport and will become the first aerotropolis, which is an urban area where the airport is the central economic driver, with infrastructure, land use, and economy structured around it. This concept expands beyond a typical airport city to include a wide range of connected developments, such as commercial, residential, logistics, and entertainment areas, all feeding off the airport’s global connectivity.’, he asserted.

Museveni hails Indian community for investing in Uganda

President Yoweri Museveni has praised the Indian community in Uganda for its significant contribution to the country’s economic growth through investments in industry and the service sectors.

Speaking during the Diwali Festival of Lights celebrations at State House, Entebbe, over the weekend, President Museveni said Uganda’s economy has greatly benefited from the community’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to building industries that create jobs, expand the tax base, and nurture a skilled working class.

‘By investing in factories and services, you are helping us create a middle and skilled working class and a revenue base for the government, from which we can get money to educate Ugandans so that through business and education, we can create a modern society,’ the president said.

Mr Museveni noted that, according to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Indian community contributes about 65 percent of Uganda’s income tax despite constituting less than one percent of the total population.

He also reflected on the 1972 expulsion of Asians by former president Idi Amin, saying the move devastated Uganda’s economy and disrupted social cohesion.

‘I went to an Indian temple in London and found some Indians lamenting about Amin’s actions. I told them that Amin did more damage to Africans than Indians; he destroyed our economy and killed several people. I am very glad that you came back when we called you, thank you for trusting Uganda again,’ he said.

Renewed trust and partnership

The Indian High Commissioner to Uganda, Mr Singh Rawat, commended the Ugandan government for restoring property rights and creating an enabling environment for investors.

‘We also commend the steps taken under your administration to restore property rights and welcome back members of the diaspora who have revived economic activity. We applaud your commitment to value addition and manufacturing,’ Mr Rawat said.

Mr Paresh Mehta, the chairperson of the Indian Association of Uganda, said the expulsion of Asians in 1972 not only affected Indians but also weakened Uganda’s economy.

‘Uganda lost a part of its productive and enterprising spirit. But under Your Excellency’s leadership, the vision has transformed Uganda into a country of opportunity and progress,’ he said.

Mr Mehta highlighted Indian families such as Sudhir Ruparelia, the Madhvan family, and the Mehta Group as examples of investors who have played a pivotal role in Uganda’s industrial and social transformation.

‘Ruparelia specifically arrived in Uganda with $25,000 (about Shs86 million), but through opportunities under the NRM government, he has built a business empire worth $1.6 billion,’ Mr Mehta noted.

Deepening bilateral ties

The Minister for the Presidency, Ms Milly Babirye Babalanda, called on the Indian community to encourage more investors to consider Uganda as an investment destination.

‘We should use this year’s Diwali to attract other strategic friends to join you in investing in Uganda,’ she said.

Uganda and India share longstanding historical ties that have evolved into strong cooperation in trade, investment, technology transfer, defence, and development. The two countries currently enjoy bilateral trade worth about $1.2 billion annually.

Humanitarian contributions

Beyond business, the Indian community continues to make impactful humanitarian contributions. So far, it has facilitated life-saving heart surgeries for 238 Ugandan children in India, with another 100 expected to be sent next year.

The community has also collectively donated 65,000 units of blood through ongoing blood drives, including recent ones at Singo Military Training School in Nakaseke and the Sai Centre on Mawanda Road in Kampala, as part of their Diwali celebrations.

President Museveni and the First Lady, Janet Kataha Museveni, commended the community for its generosity and continued partnership in Uganda’s development journey.

‘Your contribution is not just in business but in building lives. You are partners in our nation’s progress,’ the president said.

Man arrested for allegedly defiling 2 daughters in Enugu

The Enugu State Government, through the Office of the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, has confirmed the arrest of one Ozioma Okonkwo, a native of Imo State residing in Enugu, for allegedly defiling his two biological daughters aged two and five years, respectively.

Mr. Okonkwo was apprehended Saturday night following a distress report from a concerned and patriotic citizen who promptly alerted the authorities.

A statement from the ministry said the suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

According to the statement, the two children have been admitted into a government-approved shelter under the ministry, where they are receiving medical care and psychosocial support.

Their mother, who is deeply traumatized by the incident, will commence therapy under the supervision of the Ministry’s social welfare and counseling team.

The state government, in the statement, commended the police for their swift and professional response, which led to the prompt arrest of the suspect.

The government reiterates its zero-tolerance policy on sexual and gender-based violence, assuring the public that all offenders will face the full weight of the law.

Speaking on the incident, the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development condemned the act in strong terms, describing it as ‘a heart-wrenching and unacceptable crime against innocence.’

Police warn job seekers of conmen targeting constable recruitment

Police have warned members of the public against falling prey to conmen using social media and forged documents to defraud job seekers during the ongoing recruitment of polling constables.

The caution follows the arrest of one suspect, identified as Amwine Mike, who allegedly posed as the District Police Commander (DPC) of Kyotera and extorted money from unsuspecting applicants by promising them jobs in the Police.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kituuma Rusoke, while addressing journalists at the Police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, October 27, said the suspect was charging applicants Shs50,000 each, claiming he would secure them positions as election Special Police Constables (SPCs).

‘To qualify as a polling constable, applicants must possess a valid National Identity card and a recommendation from their local council chairperson confirming their residency in the area where they will be deployed,’ ACP Kituuma said.

‘Additionally, candidates must have a clean criminal record, be physically and mentally fit, possess good communication skills, and have at least a Primary Seven education.’

He urged applicants to follow the official recruitment process and warned that anyone found impersonating police officers or extorting money from job seekers will be prosecuted.

The ongoing exercise aims to recruit 100,000 polling constables who will be deployed across the country’s polling stations ahead of the 2026 general elections. Each station will have a minimum of two constables, while stations with large voter populations-especially in Kampala, where some have between 900 and 1,300 registered voters-may have three.

The recruitment will increase the total number of police personnel to over 165,000 during the election period. This is a major scale-up compared to the 2021 elections, when 50,000 polling constables were recruited under the leadership of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martin Ochola.

During the 2021 polls, each constable earned Shs370,000 per month over a 90-day deployment. However, the deployment was marred by protests after delays in payment, with some constables initially receiving only one month’s salary. Others reportedly refused to return police uniforms, batons, and boots after the elections.

‘Those challenges were resolved by June 2021 when all constables had been paid,’ ACP Kituuma said.

For the 2026 elections, constables will earn a revised monthly wage of Shs460,000, in line with the new public service salary scale. This raises the total wage bill to Shs46 billion per month and Shs138 billion for the full 90-day deployment.

In a related exercise earlier this year, police arrested 53 individuals who attempted to cheat the recruitment of probation police constables. The nationwide exercise attracted 78,000 applicants against a target of 11,500 recruits.

ACP Kituuma advised members of the public to report any suspicious recruitment activity to the nearest police station.

Sinner fights back to claim ‘special’ Vienna crown

Jannik Sinner clinched his fourth title of the season on Sunday as the Italian rallied from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev in the final of the Vienna Open.

Sinner dropped his first set of the tournament before staging a comeback to see off Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to land the 22nd title of his career.

It is his second triumph in Vienna, where he also lifted the trophy in 2023, and extended his winning run on indoor hard courts to 21 matches going into next week’s final Masters 1000 of the year in Paris.