Church of Uganda Rejects Government Proposal to Collect School Fees through URA

Church of Uganda has strongly rejected the government’s proposal to collect school fees through the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), stating that the move would cripple school development.

Speaking at Mengo Senior School today during the Thanksgiving Service for the Directorate of Education Services, where outstanding schools and individuals in the education sector were awarded, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, reaffirmed the Church’s stance against the proposal.

He was responding to a report published in The New Vision on March 25, 2025, indicating that the government, through URA, planned to collect fees from schools, including those founded by the Church of Uganda.

Following this report, the Provincial Board of Education, chaired by Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe, convened on March 27, 2025, and resolved that Church of Uganda schools are not public schools.

“According to Section 13(iii) of the Education Act 2008, these institutions are classified as government grant-aided schools. The Board highlighted numerous detrimental effects of the URA arrangement and, therefore, declared that Church of Uganda schools shall not be part of this policy.” Archbishop Kaziimba said.

He added, “Additionally, the Board of Education recommended engaging with sister churches under the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) to collectively advise the government on the matter.”

Archbishop Kaziimba expressed gratitude for the government’s openness to dialogue and hoped the issue would be resolved amicably.

The Archbishop also encouraged Church of Uganda institutions to embrace the Endowment Fund under the Church of Uganda Higher Learners Association (COUHELA).

The fund is designed to empower institutions through savings, partnerships, and sustainable projects, providing financial support for infrastructure, scholarships, and innovation.

He called for environmental stewardship in Church of Uganda schools.

Highlighting recent environmental campaigns in March, where schools planted trees and educated communities, he urged schools to integrate environmental education into their curricula and secure land for green projects.

He commended King’s College Budo for pioneering eco-friendly cooking technologies, reducing deforestation, improving health, and lowering costs. He encouraged other schools to follow suit by 2026.

Hon. George William Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), who was the Chief Guest at the event, urged educators to embrace the digital revolution, emphasizing that artificial intelligence is transforming the education sector.

He noted that teachers are no longer the sole depositories of knowledge but facilitators of knowledge management, as learners today have vast access to information, often surpassing their teachers.

He further pointed out that information communication technology (ICT) has become a household necessity, with children increasingly exposed to smartphones and digital content.

He urged teachers to guide students in responsible usage of digital platforms and information consumption.

Church of Uganda’s Director of Education Services, Rev. Canon Dr. Paul Kakooza, reaffirmed the Directorate’s commitment to improving education through rigorous training on the new curriculum in collaboration with the National Curriculum Development Center (NCDC), sensitization campaigns for Church of Uganda school stakeholders, and enhanced school inspections with a well-equipped team.

He also emphasized strengthening partnerships with institutions like Uganda Christian University (UCU) to enhance institutional capacity.

He commended UCU for launching an Administrative Law Course for headteachers, aimed at equipping school leaders with legal knowledge and best practices in service delivery.

He called upon UCC to partner with the Church of Uganda Directorate of Education to bridge the digital divide in Church-founded schools.

Mr Grace Nantagya  Ssebanakitta, the Chairperson of the Church of Uganda Heads of Education Institutions Association (COUHEIA) and Headteacher of Mengo Senior School, called for the establishment of a Leadership Training Center to equip teachers, headteachers, and the younger generation with the necessary leadership skills to effectively manage schools and contribute to society.

He emphasized that strong leadership is key to fostering academic excellence, ethical governance, and sustainable development in education institutions.

“As educators, we must invest in leadership training to ensure that our schools are not just centers of learning but also hubs of ethical leadership and innovation,” Mr Ssebanakitta. said.

He added, “A Leadership Training Center will empower teachers and headteachers with the skills needed to navigate the evolving education landscape while instilling values of responsibility, integrity, and service in the next generation.”

The event also honored distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions to education, including the Late Bishop Prof. Michael Senyimba, Mr. Nsumba Lyazi, Canon Elijah Kiyingi, Mrs. Irene Kawuma Kisaka, Dr. Grace Baguma, and Mrs. Busingye Merabuh.

The Thanksgiving Service was attended by key leaders, including the Provincial Chairperson of the Board of Education and Bishop of South Ankole Diocese, Rt. Rev. Nathan Ahimbisibwe, the Bishop of Kitgum Diocese, Rt. Rev. Wilson Kitara, Diocesan Education Coordinators, and headteachers from Church of Uganda-founded schools.