Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has defended his decision to exclude traditional high-fee government-aided schools from his ongoing school inspection campaign, saying institutions such as Ntare School and Bweranyangi Girls Secondary School were historically established to serve families that can afford their fees.While addressing residents in Isingiro District, Balaam said renowned schools including Ntare, Bweranyangi, Buddo, Gayaza High and Namagunga have for decades been considered legacy institutions that mainly attract learners from financially stable households.
He argued that these schools operate in a different category from institutions created under government programmes targeting wider access to education.The minister said the government’s decision to establish Seed Schools, alongside Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) programmes, was aimed at ensuring that children from less privileged backgrounds also have opportunities to study.Balaam explained that parents who may not afford the fees charged by traditional schools should explore affordable government-supported options rather than forcing their children into institutions designed for a different financial category.“
Those who want to take their children to Ntare must be prepared to meet the costs. If you cannot afford it, there are Seed Schools and other government schools available,” Balaam said.The minister’s comments came after growing criticism from some sections of the public questioning why his “Expose the Corrupt” campaign had focused mainly on ordinary government-aided schools while leaving out some of Uganda’s oldest and most prestigious institutions.
Balaam insisted that the objective of his campaign is not to target specific schools but to fight corruption, protect public funds and ensure that government education programmes benefit the intended beneficiaries. He said the inspections are aimed at uncovering issues such as ghost learners, exaggerated enrolment figures, illegal charges and misuse of resources.Working together with anti-corruption agencies and local leaders,
Balaam’s inspection drive has already led to investigations, arrests and administrative actions against some school officials accused of violating government policies on education funding and fees.The minister’s position has continued to generate debate about the place of Uganda’s historic elite schools in the education system, as the government seeks to balance the preservation of established institutions with expanding affordable education opportunities for all Ugandan learners.
