Uganda to enforce free UPE schooling, banning all levies

School fee side hustles just got put on notice as the government moves to wipe out every charge hiding inside Universal Primary Education.

Free UPE enforcement push

• The government vowed zero fees in Universal Primary Education schools.
• John Chrysostom Muyingo said no child should pay anything.
• The directive came during the 2026 Senior One placement launch.
• Officials want full compliance across all UPE institutions.

Hidden charges under scrutiny

• The Equal Opportunities Commission flagged rising unofficial costs in 2023.
• The report showed publicly funded schools still billing parents.
• Capitation gaps pushed schools to invent lunch and exam levies.
• The government declared the practice must end immediately.

Secondary expansion and seed schools

• Authorities have built 204 Seed Secondary Schools since 2019.
• Fifty-five more campuses remain under construction.
• Over 200 community schools received wage and USE grants.
• Muyingo said expansion targets Primary Seven leavers.

PLE numbers and transition paths

• Uganda National Examinations Board recorded 722730 PLE passes.
• Total candidates reached 786981 in the 2025 exams.
• The majority of qualifiers benefited from UPE enrollment.
• Eligible learners can enter secondary or TVET institutions.

TVET rollout and polytechnics

• The government enacted the TVET Act in 2025.
• Forty-two Community Polytechnics operate nationwide.
• About 100 private community polytechnics also admit learners.
• Parents were urged to view vocational training as practical.