The Bishop of Ruwenzori Diocese, Rt Rev Reuben Kisembo, has sparked a debate by proposing the introduction of extra fees for parents with children attending government schools. The Bishop outlined the financial strain experienced by government schools and emphasized the need for sustainable solutions to ensure the quality of education is maintained.
While acknowledging the potential concerns and challenges for parents in meeting additional financial obligations, Bishop Kisembo argued that the move is a necessary step to uplift the standards of education in government schools and contribute to the betterment of the community as a whole. In December last year, Civil Society Organizations in Kabarole district challenged the government to remove the ban stopping government schools from charging extra fees from parents.
The Civil Society Organizations argued that ever since the government stopped these schools from charging fees from parents, their operations have come to a standstill because of the limited funds they have to run them. However, in his new year message on 31 December 2019, the president of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa said if schools under the disguise of Parents Teachers Association continue charging extra fees, he would be forced to abolish UPE and USE.