Category: Daily Monitor

The government expects to save about Shs24 billion annually after suspending funding for national public holiday celebrations beginning Financial Year (FY)2026/2027, the Ministry of Finance has said.

The move is part of the government’s Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (Rapex) programme aimed at reducing wasteful spending and improving efficiency in public service delivery. Speaking during the launch of the National Budget Month for the FY2026/2027 at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, the Director of Budget, Mr Hannighton Ashaba, said government would no longer finance activities marking several national public holidays. ‘We expect to save Shs24b annually from the suspension of spending on public holidays, which includes Independence Day, International Women’s Day, Labour Day, Martyrs Day, National Heroes Day and Janani Luwum Day,’ Mr Ashaba said while responding to questions from Daily Monitor.

The announcement follows last week’s directive by the Finance ministry Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Treasury, Mr Ramathan Ggoobi, that government funding for public holiday celebrations would cease starting next financial year. The decision forms part of wider expenditure rationalisation efforts under Rapex, a reform programme designed to eliminate duplication of functions, streamline government operations and reduce public spending. According to a report presented to Parliament by former Public Service minister Muruli Mukasa in March, the rationalisation programme had by then generated savings of more than Shs773b through reductions in wage and non-wage expenditure, National Social Security Fund contributions, gratuity payments and board expenses.

The launch of the National Budget Month yesterday also provided an opportunity for government to highlight progress in Budget transparency and citizen engagement. Mr Ggoobi said effective budgeting extends beyond the preparation and approval of expenditure estimates and requires active participation by stakeholders throughout the budget cycle. ‘Effective budgeting requires proper implementation to realise intended outcomes. Achieving this calls for meaningful participation of stakeholders throughout the entire Budget cycle, including planning, execution, monitoring and oversight,’ he said. Mr Ggoobi said the National Budget Month initiative, which started in 2018, seeks to promote transparency, accountability and public participation in government budgeting.

He noted that Uganda has continued to register improvements in international budget transparency rankings. ‘Our rating in Budget Transparency improved from 58 percent in 2021 to 59 percent in 2023, compared to the global average of 45 percent. Budget Oversight improved from 59 percent to 67 percent, against a global average of 52 percent,’ Mr Ggoobi said. However, he acknowledged that public participation remains low. ‘Public participation declined from 19 percent in 2021 to 15 percent in 2023, although this remains slightly above the global average of 14 percent. We are optimistic that the ongoing 2025 Open Budget Survey will show improvements in citizen engagement and accountability,’ he added.

Budget

Parliament in April approved a Shs84.3 trillion budget for the FY2026/2027 under the theme: ‘Full monetisation of Uganda’s economy through commercial agriculture, industrialisation, expanded social services, digital transformation and market access.’ The Budget will be financed largely through domestic revenue collections of Shs44.18 trillion, domestic borrowing of Shs11.97 trillion and external project support of Shs11.27 trillion. The Executive Director of SEATINI Uganda, Ms Jane Nalunga, commended government for increasing funding for agro-industrialisation from Shs1.8 trillion to Shs2.2 trillion.

‘We commend the government for increasing the allocation to agro-industrialisation for agricultural research, inputs, irrigation, extension services, agro-processing and market access,’ she said, adding that effective implementation would be critical to achieving the intended results. The Executive Director of Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (Acode), Dr Arthur Bainomugisha, called for increased funding to local governments and investments in agricultural productivity and climate resilience.

Meanwhile, Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group Executive Director Julius Mukunda warned that rising public debt and borrowing costs continue to constrain public expenditure and private sector growth. Mr Ggoobi said the government was prioritising domestic revenue mobilisation to reduce dependence on borrowing. ‘We are focusing on mobilising more revenue. If we can raise domestic revenue to about 20 percent of GDP, we shall we shall need less domestic borrowing,’ he said.

Parliament’s Appointments Committee, chaired by Speaker Jacob Oboth Oboth, has rejected the designation of Victoria University Vice Chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga as State Minister for Internal Affairs over holding multiple citizenships.

A source who attended the vetting and spoke to this publication on condition of anonymity said Dr Muganga failed to convince the Committee he would renounce citizenship of two other countries, Rwanda and Canada.

The Committee, before meeting the nominee, carried out due diligence and found he holds three citizenships: Uganda, Rwanda and Canada. ‘We asked him about the issue of multiple citizenship because we found that he holds three citizenship including Rwandan, Canada, and Uganda. He said that he denounced Rwanda when he became a Canadian and the Committee was convinced but failed to convince us with evidence that he denounced the two citizenship,’ the source said.

Unlike other minister-designates such as Calvin Echodu, State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs, and Adonia Ayebare for Foreign Affairs, who presented evidence of renouncing US citizenship, Dr Muganga did not. ‘The Committee took some good time discussing Adonia’s issue until he presented the evidence that he had started the process then we cleared him. But Muganga failed to convince us with evidence yet he will be holding a sensitive ministry of the Internal Affairs,’ the source added.

After presenting his CV, Speaker Oboth asked Dr Muganga about his dual citizenship status. Shortly after the session, Dr Muganga addressed reporters and dismissed claims linking him to Rwandan citizenship. ‘Before I came here, I definitely had two citizenships-that’s the Ugandan citizenship and the Canadian citizenship. Like every young person who really aspires to do better, you leave this country and you go to different countries, trying to work there, and you get some money, you help your people you left back home. You help your brothers, your sisters, your parents, and even your friends. So, that is me,’ he said.

He added: ‘Many Ugandans do that. And as I speak right now, there are some who are at the airport leaving the country. Before you know it, they will have citizenship of other countries. But that does not take away one’s love for the country. I am Ugandan…Uganda is my country.’

On May 28, city lawyer and Democratic Front Deputy Secretary General Deric Fredric Namakajo petitioned Parliament through the Clerk’s office seeking to block Dr Muganga’s vetting. He accused him of holding Ugandan and Canadian citizenship and cited Section 19D of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Amendment Act, 2009, which bars dual citizens from holding sensitive state offices.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, speaking on behalf of Committee Chairperson Speaker Oboth, said four nominees were found with dual or multiple citizenship during vetting.

‘We did a verification with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and we discovered that we had three colleagues who had dual citizenship, and one colleague who had multiple citizenship. So, we have looked at it extensively, and all of them have approved renouncing their citizenship in the other countries,’ he said.

‘They have taken a patriotic step of choosing Uganda above all. Especially, you know, these are painful decisions that are made. Some of these people have families in those countries. Whatever they have been made in those countries, they send back to Uganda, back to Uganda. But they have taken the painful decision of renouncing their citizenship in other countries. So, we consider that, and we appreciate them for being patriotic,’ Tayebwa added.

Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi said the law must be followed. ‘If somebody has got dual or multiple citizenship, can they first renounce citizenship of the other countries so that the law is followed. If there can be proof that this person has renounced citizenship of these other countries now, they are solely citizens of Uganda then we can discuss other issues,’ Ssenyonyi said.

There is an unspoken economic system in many families today where financial responsibility gradually concentrates around a single individual.

Not because they are necessarily the wealthiest, but perceived to be the most dependable.

In many Ugandan households, the ‘responsible child’ becomes an informal financial institution. They are expected to respond to emergencies, absorb unexpected expenses, bridge income gaps, and provide financial continuity whenever instability arises within the family structure.

What makes this dynamic particularly complex is that the role is rarely assigned formally. It develops through repeated patterns of dependence and reliability. The more consistently an individual provides support, the more the family ecosystem restructures itself around that support.

Over time, responsibility stops being viewed as assistance and starts becoming assumed financial availability.

This trend reflects a broader shift within modern household economics, especially in developing economies where family systems continue to function as primary social safety nets. In the absence of strong welfare structures, accessible healthcare financing, retirement systems, or stable employment opportunities, families naturally redirect financial pressure inward.

The employed or working child, therefore, becomes both an economic participant and an economic stabilizer.

However, while this arrangement may provide short-term survival for families, it can create long-term financial strain for the individual carrying the responsibility.

Many young people today are navigating competing financial realities. On the one hand, they are expected to support their families and consistently meet household needs.

On the other hand, they face growing pressure to build personal financial security in an increasingly expensive economic environment.

This creates a difficult balancing act between obligation and sustainability.

A growing number of working adults are financing multiple households while attempting to establish themselves financially. Salaries are stretched across rent, transport, debt obligations, investments, school fees, medical emergencies, social expectations, and extended family support.

In many cases, income growth does not expand at the same rate as dependency.

Consequently, financial progress becomes delayed as some individuals remain unable to accumulate meaningful savings despite years of employment. Others postpone wealth-building opportunities because disposable income is constantly redirected toward recurring obligations.

More concerning is that some begin normalising financial strain as an unavoidable part of adulthood. Yet financially, this model presents significant risks.

An individual operating without sufficient emergency savings, investment growth, insurance protection, or retirement planning remains economically vulnerable regardless of how responsible they appear externally. Continuous financial extraction without adequate recovery eventually weakens both the individual and the support system depending on them.

The issue, therefore, is not responsibility itself.

Family support remains socially valuable and economically important, particularly within communal societies. The concern arises when responsibility becomes financially centralised around one individual without long-term sustainability mechanisms.

This is where financial literacy conversations become increasingly important.

Modern financial education must move beyond encouraging income generation alone and also address financial boundaries, dependency structures, wealth preservation, and sustainable support systems within families.

Financial responsibility

There is also a need to redefine what financial responsibility actually means.

Responsibility should not solely be measured by one’s ability to continuously provide financial assistance but also by the ability to maintain personal financial stability while offering support in a structured and sustainable manner.

Without this balance, many responsible children risk becoming financially productive for everyone except themselves.

In the long term, a family system that depends entirely on one person’s income is not stable, but a concentration of economic risk.

Questions over the eligibility of ministers holding dual citizenship dominated proceedings yesterday as Parliament’s Appointments Committee began vetting President Museveni’s Cabinet and State ministerial nominees.

The issue surfaced during the appearance of businessman and Trade minister-designate Sanjay Tana before the committee, with legislators seeking clarification on reports that he holds dual citizenship, which would render him ineligible for appointment to a ministerial office under the law. However, committee members said Mr Tana denied the allegations and explained that he is a Ugandan citizen by birth.

”The issue of dual citizenship was raised when Sanjay Tana appeared before us, but he clarified that he does not hold dual citizenship as had been claimed,” Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol said after the session. She noted that most of the nominees appearing before the committee were already serving ministers, making the vetting process relatively straightforward. ”Sanjay was born in Uganda and has lived and served here. Most of the ministers who appeared before the committee have already been serving, so there were no major difficulties,” Ms Aol, who is also a former Leader of Opposition in Parliament, added. The Appointments Committee, chaired by Speaker of Parliament Markson Jacob Oboth-Oboth, yesterday commenced the vetting exercise as Parliament scrutinises President Museveni’s new Cabinet selections ahead of their formal assumption of office. Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, Mr Chris Obore, said the committee’s recommendations on each nominee will be forwarded to President Museveni for consideration.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, also raised concerns about the appointment of individuals who may hold dual citizenship, urging the government to address the matter. ”There has been concern about people who hold dual citizenship, and we are hoping that, just as the issue regarding Hon Kasule Lumumba’s appointment was rectified, this matter will also be addressed,” Mr Ssenyonyi said. The Opposition leader was referring to the earlier controversy surrounding the appointment of former NRM Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba as Government Chief Whip despite not being an elected Member of Parliament, a matter that was later corrected. Mr President appointed Ms Lumumba the ICT minister and Dr Jane Ruth the Government Chief Whip.

Nominees unveil agenda after vetting

As the vetting exercise continued, several ministers-designate outlined their priorities for the new term, promising reforms aimed at improving service delivery and accelerating economic growth. Third Deputy Prime Minister and minister without Portfolio Rukia Nakadama said she intends to push for stricter monitoring of ministerial attendance in Parliament. ”We want to introduce a roster system indicating which ministers are expected to appear in Parliament. If a minister misses three appearances, we shall report them to the appointing authority,” she said. Her remarks were echoed by Second Deputy Prime Minister Crispus Walter Kiyonga, who pledged to mobilise ministers to regularly attend to parliamentary business.

”We have been elected to articulate the concerns of our people and ensure resources are equitably shared. That responsibility requires ministers to be present,” Dr Kiyonga said. Agriculture minister-designate Frank Tumwebaze, who retained his portfolio, promised continued support for farmers through increased access to affordable financing. ”We shall continue working with the Ministry of Finance and Uganda Development Bank to expand low-interest financing for all categories of farmers, from small-scale to large-scale producers,” he said. Finance Minister-designate Henry Musasizi said government spending would increasingly focus on sectors that generate economic growth. ”We must achieve allocative efficiency and direct resources to sectors that drive economic transformation.

We shall move funding from less critical activities to those that contribute more directly to growth,” Mr Musasizi said. He said his ministry would prioritise implementation of the government’s tenfold economic growth strategy. Minister-designate for Science, Technology and Innovation Jonard Asiimwe emphasised the importance of innovation across all sectors of the economy. ”Innovation is required in every aspect of life, whether in health, agriculture, information technology, or education. It is central to Uganda’s transformation agenda,” he said. Works and Transport Minister-designate Fred Byamukama identified the expansion of Uganda Airlines and the completion of the Standard Gauge Railway as some of his key priorities.

Meanwhile, Local Government Minister-designate Balaam Barugahara vowed to crack down on corruption and poor performance among public servants, while Public Service Minister-designate Gen Edward Katumba Wamala pledged to strengthen efficiency in government institutions. ”Public service is like the gears that run a machine. When the gears function properly, the machine performs well. When they do not, productivity suffers,” Gen Katumba said. The vetting exercise continues today as Parliament considers the remaining nominees before they are formally sworn into office.

Kiryandongo District has approved a Shs48.3 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, with local leaders positioning it as a key step toward transforming the largely agricultural district into an industrial and commercial hub by 2040.

The budget, approved by the district council, represents a 1.97 percent increase from the current financial year and prioritises education, health and agricultural transformation as pillars of long-term economic growth.

For decades, Kiryandongo has relied heavily on small-scale agriculture, with most households depending on crops such as maize, cassava and beans for survival. District leaders say the new spending plan is intended to shift the district from subsistence production towards a more diversified and industrialised economy.

Education received the largest allocation at Shs18.1 billion, with funds earmarked for teachers’ salaries, construction and rehabilitation of school infrastructure, and improving learning conditions in public schools.

Mr Johnson Mukusa, an education advocate with the Kiryandongo United Youth Forum, said investment in education was critical to the district’s industrialisation agenda.

‘Industrialization requires a workforce that is educated and equipped with the right skills. Investing in education today means preparing our children and young people for future opportunities,’ he said.

The health sector was allocated Shs9.3 billion to support the upgrading of health facilities, expansion of medical services and improved access to healthcare across the district.

Mr Musa Mugweri, chairperson of Kyatiri B Village, said improved healthcare services would help create a more productive population capable of contributing to economic growth.

Agriculture and production, which remain central to the district’s economy, were allocated Shs2 billion to support commercial farming, improve market access and increase productivity.

‘Industrialization begins with production. Farmers must produce enough not only for their families but also for markets and industries,’ said Kibanda North MP Lenox Ngopek.

District authorities also plan to invest in roads, classrooms, staff houses, administration blocks, health centres, markets, water sources and sanitation facilities.

Officials say improved infrastructure will help attract investment, ease the movement of agricultural produce and strengthen service delivery.

Located along the Kampala-Gulu highway, Kiryandongo has increasingly become a strategic commercial corridor attracting both local and foreign investors. Leaders believe its location gives it a competitive advantage in future industrial development.

Despite the optimism, council discussions highlighted persistent challenges in revenue mobilisation.

Local revenue collection reached only 64 percent of the annual target during the previous financial year, while central government transfers stood at 75 percent. Donor funding, however, exceeded projections, reaching 110 percent of expected revenue.

The figures underscore the district’s continued dependence on external funding and the need to strengthen local revenue collection.

Kiryandongo District Chairperson Nelson Osaga attributed the shortfall partly to resistance by some residents to pay local taxes and limited public awareness about how locally generated revenue supports development.

He also warned that chronic understaffing across several departments could slow implementation of development programmes.

‘Development is not the responsibility of government alone. Communities must participate in planning, monitoring, and protecting public investments,’ Osaga said.

While district leaders acknowledge that the journey to becoming an industrial hub remains long, they argue that the approved budget provides a foundation for future growth.

‘Whether the Shs48.3 billion budget will be enough to turn those ambitions into reality remains to be seen. For now, we are encouraging residents, business leaders, and development partners to work together as the implementation begins,’ Osaga said.

The announcement of President Museveni’s new Cabinet has revived a long-running debate in mid-western Uganda’s Kagadi District, where residents say decades of loyalty to the ruling party have failed to secure representation at the highest levels of government.

When Museveni unveiled his ministerial appointments last week, many residents hoped one of the district’s elected leaders would finally be appointed to Cabinet.

Instead, Kagadi was once again left without a minister, triggering disappointment among local leaders, religious figures and residents who say the district has been overlooked despite consistently backing the president and the ruling National Resistance Movement [NRM] party.

The district delivered 116,199 votes to Museveni in the 2026 election, equivalent to 87% of votes cast, according to official EC results. His closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, secured 14,992 votes.

For many residents, the result strengthened expectations that Kagadi would finally gain representation in Cabinet.

“We have always trusted NRM with our votes,” said Peter Karungi, a resident of Kagadi Town. “For more than four decades, Kagadi has remained without Cabinet representation.”

Kagadi, which was carved out of the former Kibaale District in 2016 alongside neighbouring districts, has watched nearby areas secure Cabinet appointments while it remained unrepresented.

Sheikh Isingoma Muhammad, the district Kadhi, said many residents struggle to understand the omission.

“I have grown up without seeing a minister from Kagadi,” he said, adding: “We have capable people who can serve.”

Some local leaders urged patience, arguing that the president may still be assessing newly elected legislators before considering them for executive appointments.

District councillor Kato Maria said the election of a new parliamentary team could eventually improve the district’s chances.

“These are new Members of Parliament. The President may first want to observe their performance before assigning bigger responsibilities,” he said.

The issue has gained added prominence after voters swept out all parliamentary representatives from the previous Parliament during the 2026 elections.

Among the newly elected legislators is Buyaga East MP Stephen Twesige, who said residents had repeatedly raised concerns about the district’s absence from Cabinet.

“People expressed their wish to the President during the elections,” Twesige said, adding: “As their representative, it is my responsibility to amplify those voices.”

Opposition figures have sought to capitalize on the frustration.

Ayebale Kanyarutooke, coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation in Kagadi, said activists were planning a symbolic day of mourning to protest the latest appointments.

“We have heard for years that Kagadi votes wrongly, but this time the district strongly supported the President and still got no representation,” he said.

Beyond politics, residents argue that the lack of Cabinet representation has coincided with persistent development challenges.

According to district officials, Kagadi still lacks several health facilities despite population growth and continues to push for municipal status for Kagadi Town Council.

Residents say stronger representation in government could help accelerate such projects.

Whether Cabinet appointments directly determine development outcomes remains debated. But in Kagadi, the latest reshuffle has renewed questions about the relationship between political loyalty, representation and access to government resources.

School trips are such an exciting thing for children. It is an opportunity to leave the school compound, during the term to spend a day having fun. Who wouldn’t want that? So, yes, most students look forward to them.

In the days when going to the Source of the Nile was the thing, at only Shs20,000, a trip was done. Can I hear the millennials shout? The school kitchen was the source of the meals, so that never featured on the items being paid for. Regarding transportation, the school bus or a hired coaster did a good job and so the needed charge was fuel.

But today, the dynamics are changing. The cost of a school trip per child is sometimes sufficient to fund a family getaway. Imagine paying Shs60,000 for your child’s school trip only to learn that they moved from Kyengera to Kampala and only toured Garden City. Look here, transport from Kampala to Kyengera is not more than Shs5,000. So, what makes the bill Shs60,000, yet they could also have asked the parent to pack lunch for the child that day?

If that does not sound like robbery, how about paying $500 (Shs,880,000) for your child’s trip to Queen Elizabeth Game Park, only for them to visit Kasese Town and Kilembe Mines. What happened to the park? Was it impossible to write the Kasese Town tour? But also, was all this money only sufficient for transport, accommodation and feeding? Haaaa, then the child returns with bedbugs in their beddings and you wonder what kind of accommodation that was. To add salt to the injury, some schools communicate about the school trip a month to the day. And because the schools know how much the children love these trips, they pressure them to ensure their parents pay. What stopped them from including this in the end-of-term circular?

This became a heated argument during one of the Man Cave X spaces, as Mr Newton Buteraba, a financial expert, pointed out the habit. What happened to planning? One wonders if the schools come up with these trips at the last minute. Suffice it to note, school trips have become another business. You could compare it to the development fund, whose money seems to fall into a bottomless bag. Schools’ administrations, please practice the honesty you preach.

Veteran Ugandan dancehall musician David Sifaayo, popularly known by his stage name Master Parrot, has tragically passed away following a road crash along the Kampala Northern Bypass on Monday evening.

According to eyewitnesses and preliminary police reports, the fatal crash occurred in the busy Masanafu area on June 1, 2026. The Muliro singer was reportedly struck by a speeding motorcycle while attempting to cross the highway. Master Parrot sustained severe injuries and died at the scene before he could be rushed to a medical facility. His body has since been transported to the City Mortuary Mulago pending a post-mortem examination.

Master Parrot rose to prominence in the early to mid-2000s, a period widely regarded as the golden era of contemporary Ugandan dancehall and Afro-pop music. He cemented his household name status with his breakout hit Muliro, a high-energy track that dominated local radio airwaves, nightclubs, and communal events. He followed up this success with other notable releases, including Ekikompola, solidifying his reputation for catchy, gravelly vocals, witty lyrics, and vibrant stage performances. Alongside contemporaries of the era, his music helped lay the foundation for modern Ugandan pop.

“His contribution to Uganda’s music industry, particularly during the dawn of modern local pop, earned him admiration from fans across generations. He was a pioneer who brought a unique energy to the stage,” noted a fellow artist in an emotional tribute.

News of his sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the local entertainment fraternity. Fellow musicians, fans, and family members have taken to various social media platforms to express their grief and pay tribute to a man who helped shape early 2000s Ugandan music.

By the time of publication, official burial arrangements had not yet been finalized. Family members and close associates are expected to release a detailed programme in the coming days.

The remains of legendary Kadongokamu musician Paul Job Kafeero were exhumed on Monday morning following a court order aimed at resolving a bitter, long-running feud over his estate and lineage.

The exercise was carried out to obtain bone and tissue samples for DNA testing. The results will determine the biological parentage of several individuals claiming to be the late music icon’s children.

According to Joseph Luzige, the legal counsel representing the children who claim they were wrongfully excluded from the estate, the costly exercise was funded by outgoing State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Balaam Barugahara.

“Samples from the late Kafeero’s body will be compared with samples from all the contesting children at the government laboratory on Wednesday,” Luzige said. “This scientific intervention will finally settle this matter once and for all.”

Government Chief Pathologist, Dr Moses Byaruhanga, who oversaw the process, defended the decision, noting it was necessary to put an end to years of public speculation and internal family rancour.

“This definitive test will remove all doubts and anxiety regarding the true lineage of Paul Job Kafeero’s offspring,” Dr. Byaruhanga stated.

Stella Nantongo, one of Kafeero’s widely acknowledged children, expressed mixed emotions about the development, describing it as a painful but unavoidable step.

“This is the last thing we wanted to happen to our father’s resting place,” Nantongo said. “But if it is the only way to solve the underlying issues tearing the family apart, then it is good that it has been done.”

The exhumation drew crowds of local residents, who were kept at a distance by security. While some locals expressed cultural discomfort over disturbing the dead, others agreed that the prolonged legal battle over Kafeero’s legacy needed a final resolution.

DNA test results are expected to be released next week.

In May 2025, the Ministry of Education and Sports issued guidelines for the safe conduct of co-curricular activities in schools, including school trips.

The guidelines were sent to all local governments, head teachers of both primary and secondary schools, all principals of educational institutions, and all boards of governors and school management committees. This was after the ministry expressed concern at the growing exposure of learners to inappropriate, exploitative, and unsafe co-curricular activities.

According to the ministry’s guidelines, schools are supposed to specify the kind of trips or tours acceptable and approved by the governing bodies, to ensure that all trips are aligned with the educational objectives that are considerate to the financial implications of learners and their families.

The guidelines also call for field trips that support curriculum implementation. That these should take place in and around the school premises to minimise the possible challenges learners may encounter away from school.

Proposed sites under the guidelines are supposed to be communicated to parents and other concerned stakeholders before the trips, which must be evaluated for educational value and safety. Under the regulations, Nursery and Kindergarten learners are not permitted to undertake school trips and tours, and the Ministry is to provide strict controls on the study tours to prevent the financial exploitation of parents.

But many parents wonder whether these trips are necessary or if the organizers just plan to exploit parents. According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports Dr Kedrace Turyagenda, some trips are educational. ‘For example, when you are learning geography, you learn about crater lakes, you learn about escarpments, you learn about all these things,’ Dr Turyagyenda says. ‘If you take a trip to Queen Elizabeth, you have seen all those now physical, and what you see, you remember, so it’s good for children.’ However, she has warned that not every subject should need a trip and that whatever is being learned should be within the syllabus.

Ms Deborah Wesonga, the immediate past president of the Association of Secondary School Head Teachers of Uganda (ASSHU), and headteacher of Wanyange Girls’ Secondary School in Jinja district, called for the enforcement of the guidelines to avoid exploitation of parents and to avoid losing focus.

‘They need to be coordinated, not concentrated in the same term, and should have clear guidelines for learners to remain focused. For example, the teacher draws questions for learners before they set off, so that they are looking out for specific information or features, to avoid idleness, redundancy, and indiscipline,’ she said.

She also encouraged the full involvement of the school administration, to ensure the safety and security of the learners and to ensure that learners and parents are not exploited by people who plan these trips. She added that even the information about trips should be shared and discussed with parents, during meetings, which in most cases is not done. Ms Turyagenda further advised the trip organizers to avoid long trips that strain parents, leading to missed trips by some students due to failure to pay.

‘The guidelines don’t have amounts of money for charges, but they guide how processes should be done,’ adding that, ‘If they are trips for learning purposes, there’s a lot of learning in the environment of every school and such school trips don’t need any money,’ she added. ‘So, when people have to charge for longer trips, that one has to be agreed upon in a PTA general meeting.’ About charges for school trips, Ms Wesonga warned schools against overcharging parents. ‘Organizers, who are mostly teachers, plan and organise trips in their departments/clubs/games. For example, a teacher patron of Chess wants to take students to participate in a chess tournament, a teacher of agriculture wants to take learners to Kabanyoro University farm, the history department wants to take learners to visit the Uganda museum, Kasubi tombs,’ Ms Wesonga said. ‘But these teachers should find ways of making trips affordable.’

Parents remain concerned

Mr Charles Kitonsa, a resident of Mityana Municipality wonders if school trips are organised for educational purposes, not for generating money.

‘I was directed to pay for a field trip before I even completed school fees. This, on top of giving a time frame to have the field money paid early,’ he said.

However, Ms Turyagenda encouraged school head teachers to ensure that these school trips are not mandatory for those who cannot afford to pay.

‘If they are forcing every child, for example, to go for a trip, that causes some children to miss learning, that’s unacceptable, especially in the UPE and USE schools,’ she said.

‘Because we can’t be at every school to know what is happening, if you are a parent, you are a guardian, and you have concerns, and you bring it to our attention, then we shall handle it according to what we told you in the guidelines.’

Travel safety

In May last year, the Ministry of Education and Sports issued new guidelines on school trips to protect learners. They include: Travel must conclude before 6pm on tour days. Schools must submit approved itineraries including overnight accommodations and designated stopovers. Kindergarten children are not permitted on school trips, while lower primary students are only allowed in exceptional cases. All trip details (routes, number of students, teacher contact info) must be communicated to police.