President Warns Against Undermining Free Education Policy: “You’re Conserving Ignorance”

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential flag bearer, has emphasized the importance of maintaining free education in government schools.

“Those who don’t support my policy of free education are creating a time bomb, conserving ignorance, and destroying the future of our children along with their potential. You have seen in just six months in the Presidential Skilling Hubs what these children are producing,” he said.

The President, accompanied by the First Daughter, Mrs. Natasha Karugire Museveni, made the remarks while addressing a campaign rally in Kapchorwa District.

According to President Museveni, some policymakers risk “denying themselves a place in heaven” for neglecting vulnerable children.
“When a child says, ‘My parents died, but I want to go to school,’ who will take responsibility? Uganda is one big family. If a parent dies, the family of Uganda, through its government, must take care of those children. That is what the NRM stands for. Let us stop this wastage of human resource. These children are our greatest wealth,” he said.

The President also revisited the unresolved boundary issue between Mount Elgon National Park and surrounding communities, urging residents to appreciate the environmental significance of protected areas.
“Our mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and wetlands are not political issues; they are matters of science and survival. Just as the human body depends on organs working in harmony, our environment must remain intact to sustain us. Interfering with these ecosystems can have severe consequences,” he noted.

He assured residents that a survey team would return to finalize boundary verification and resolve the matter decisively.

Highlighting the role of local talent and entrepreneurship, President Museveni cited athletics superstar Joshua Cheptegei as an example of how sports can drive community development and tourism.
“Mountains are not only for agriculture. They can support tourism and other enterprises,” he said.

On disaster response, the President reaffirmed government support for landslide-affected families.
“Each household will receive two acres of land, Shs10 million, and compensation for crops and property lost. After the elections, we will hold a comprehensive discussion on long-term resettlement solutions,” he added.

During the rally, the President also handed over NRM flags to aspiring Members of Parliament, LC V chairperson, councillors, and other party candidates in Kapchorwa District, formally endorsing their participation in the upcoming elections.

Rt. Hon. Anitah Among, Speaker of Parliament and NRM Second National Vice Chairperson, commended the President for the peace and development in the Sebei sub-region.
“We thank you for the peace and development in Sebei. The Parish Development Model has brought wealth and opportunities to our people,” she said.

Ms. Peace Chelangat, a former primary seven dropout from Tegeres, Kapchorwa District, shared her success story as a beneficiary of the Presidential Industrial Skilling Hub initiative.
“After completing six months of training in hairdressing, I sold my phone and used the money as capital to buy accessories. Today, I own a salon and employ three people. The hub completely changed my life,” she said, thanking the President for the Shs50 million support channeled through hub beneficiary SACCOs.

Kapchorwa District comprises two constituencies, 15 sub-counties and town councils, 85 parishes, and 641 villages. According to the 2024 census, the district has a population of 133,621 residents.

Under the Parish Development Model (PDM), the district’s 85 parishes have collectively received Shs17.91 billion, with 94.96% disbursed to 17,168 households. Kapchorwa Municipality’s 27 parishes have received Shs8.29 billion, of which 92.88% has reached 8,084 households.

Through the Emyooga programme, the two constituencies host 36 SACCOs with 25,226 members, supported with Shs1.49 billion in government funds to boost income-generating ventures.

In education, Kapchorwa has 24 government primary schools serving 19,499 pupils and five secondary schools with 2,678 students. The Municipality has 16 government primary schools with 11,754 pupils and four secondary schools enrolling 1,738 students. All offer Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post-Ordinary Level Education and Training (UPOLET).

Plans are underway to build three new secondary schools under the UgIFT and USEEP programmes, which will reduce the number of sub-counties without a government secondary school to four.

In health, the district has one hospital, one HCIV, and eight HCIIIs, though five sub-counties still lack an HCIII-level facility. Planned upgrades include Amukol HCII and Chepterech HCII, both set to be elevated to HCIII.

Access to safe water remains a key priority: 328 of 641 villages (49%) have safe water. Piped systems currently serve 65,450 residents in Kapchorwa Municipality and 10,800 in Sipi Town Board. Ongoing projects include the Chemosong Gravity Flow Scheme and Matera Piped Water System, with plans to expand the Sipi Water System to support domestic use and tourism.

Under Water-for-Production, the Cheptui Irrigation Scheme in Kapsinda Sub-county benefits 14 farmers directly and 45 out-growers engaged in horticulture. Expansion works and new climate-smart demonstration sites at Kapropen and Teryet aim to boost high-altitude agricultural productivity.

The rally was attended by NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) members, Members of Parliament, religious and cultural leaders, and thousands of supporters from across the Sebei sub-region.