Ministry of Education and Sports - Uganda Multimedia News & Information

Museveni fires six in Education ministry over fraud

Agnes Tumuheire — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 09:12:44 +0000

The directive also provides for the dismissal of the Contracts Committee of the ministry of Education due to “mishandling of the process for procuring furniture for selected primary schools in Uganda under the Ministry of Education and Sports”.

Those fired included Mr Daniel Nkaada, the ministry’s commissioner for basic education and ordered to refund Shs10,080,000, Mr Philly Mpaata, a quantity surveyor with Uganda Teacher and School Effectiveness Project (UTSEP).

Others are, Mr William Hasoho, a procurement specialist at UTSEP, and Mr Thaddeus Lugolobi, who the IGG ordered to refund Shs8.2m last year over the mismanagement of an emergency construction programme.

In the October 1 letter, Mr Museveni points out “persistent lack of seriousness by elements in the public service”, which he says is a major hindrance to efforts to empower Ugandans.

“Last month, I chaired two meetings in which I expressed my displeasure at the manner in which the above [furniture] procurement was handled by officials in the Ministry of Education and Sports. I told you and the ministers of State that the award of all the tenders under the said procurement to foreign firms upon eliminating our local enterprises from the process was a blatant violation of the government’s own “Buy Ugandan Build Uganda” policy and, therefore, unacceptable,” Museveni letter read.

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Parliament moves to better primary schools’ infrastructure

Herman Nnyanzi — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 07:17:15 +0000

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has announced plans by Parliament to concentrate on infrastructural improvement at primary schools.
At a fundraiser for Rwemiyenje Primary School in Rwampara County, Mbarara district, Kadaga said attention must be paid to structures in primary schools.

Kadaga arrives at Rwemiyenje Primary School for a fundraising drive for the renovation of the school

“We have not quite addressed the infrastructural challenges at primary schools. We should bring a motion in Parliament to specifically address infrastructure in primary schools,” said Kadaga.
She donated 40 computers and Shs10 million towards the fundraising campaign.
Kadaga was in the company of area MPs Rosette Kajungu (NRM, Mbarara), Charles Ngabirano (NRM, Rwampara), and a host of other leaders.
Ankole Diocese Bishop Emeritus Rt Rev George Tibesigwa chronicled the school’s history, linking it to the 1979 liberation war against then president Idi Amin.

Speaker recieves a bouquet of flowers from a student of Rwemiyengo Primary School

Tibesigwa said the school acted as a fortress for the Front for National Salvation (FRONASA) forces led by then rebel leader, Yoweri Museveni, asking government to improve the school’s infrastructure in light of that contribution.
“You are where you are because of the contribution of this school. Its windows were smashed, the doors uprooted, and the main FRONASA battles were here,” said Tibesigwa.
Kadaga promised to talk to President Yoweri Museveni on a past commitment to the school and promised government action in improving the school’s state.
The fundraising saw the auction of goats, cows and other items, raising over Shs50 million in cash and pledges.
MP Ngabirano lauded the move, but said the most sustainable way is to address general issues relating to schools’ infrastructure.
“We need to look for a comprehensive solution to address the question of infrastructure in government schools,” said Ngabirano.
In the current Financial Year, Parliament allocated Shs2.6 trillion to the Ministry of Education and Sports, a rise from the Shs2.5 trillion the Ministry got in the previous budget.
Girl child education
Kadaga warned pupils against early marriages and dropping out of school, saying with the scheduled improvement in the school’s infrastructure, there is no reason for poor academic performance.

Kadaga roots for better Uganda-Dutch Parliamentary relations

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MPs grill Ministry of Education Officials over 2.1billion funds for private Universities

Isaac Senabulya — Wed, 16 Aug 2017 06:56:06 +0000

Auditor General, John Muwanga

MPs sitting on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday grilled the Ministry of Education and Sports officials to explain their expenditure of over 2.1billion shillings of public funds meant for private Universities.

In his June 30^th 2016 report to Parliament, Auditor General, John Muwanga, highlighted that the Ministry transferred 2.1billion shillings to six private Universities, in fulfillment of Presidential pledges.

The beneficiary Universities included; Bishop Staurt University which received 380 million shillings , Kumi University 300Million shillings , Kisubi Brothers University College 912.5Million shillings , Nkumba University 300M, Mountains of the Moon University 150M and Ndejje University 150M.

During the audit process, the auditors discovered that the transfers lacked detailed information with regards to status of implementation of pledges where the benefiting universities had to construct libraries, laboratories and other science blocks.

The auditors also queried discovered that the transfers were made without putting in place mechanisms for accountability from the universities that benefited from President Museveni’s generosity.

In their response, the Ministry told MPs that only Nkumba and Ndejje Universities have handed in their accountabilities.

Director Higher Education Robert Odok Oceng said that the understanding is that the students from private Universities are also Ugandans who come to the job market, who should be properly trained.

During the interface, it was discovered that the Ministry issued the funds without drawing any agreement with the Universities.

The Ministry acknowledged that there was no memorandum of understanding drawn but revealed these have since been put in place.

Gerald Karuhanga the Ntugamo MP

Gerald Karuhanga, Ntungamo Municipality MP wondered how the Ministry would commit such huge funds to private Universities, yet public Universities are grappling with meager funds.

He also questioned why the Ministry budget should go into paying presidential pledges, yet Parliament allocates monies to the Office of the President to meet presidential pledges.

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Old Kampala SS closed over student strike

Gerald Businge — Fri, 14 Jul 2017 15:02:07 +0000

Students gathered in the school compound before violence broke out

Old Kampala Senior Secondary School has been closed by Police over a student’s strike that turned violent. Students are protesting against the transfer of their headmistress, Ms Aziida Nsubuga Ntegane, by the Ministry of Education and Sports.

Reports indicated that some students were injured in the process when police fired in the air to disperse a crowd that had gathered at the main block of the school.

Police say they are investigating the incident that paralyzed studying at one of the oldest schools in the country.

However, some teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity have accused Ms Nsubuga of instructing teachers loyal to her to mobilise students to protest against her transfer.

“Yesterday she came into the staff room just when we were having our lunch and accused teachers for being behind her woes,” said a teacher quoting from what headmistress had said.

The source says the school has now been divided between teachers and students who are loyal to the headmistress pitying those against her administrative style.

The teachers have also accused Nsubuga of intimidating them accusing them of making allegations about her to the Ministry of Education and Sports over the recent illegal sell of school properties including land.

“I have experienced a lot of hatred from you people and I wonder what I did to you. I am going but in case anyone celebrates my departure, they will feel my weigh,” Nsubuga is quoted to have further said, adding, “I hope you are aware that Iddi Amin was at the border of Uganda but still commanded her troops. I still in charge and those you who are defiant, I will just instruct the Ministry to send some of you away like they did in Makerere College”.

The school has been a center of contention in the past year especially over land related issues where management has previously been accused of selling school properties including land to a local bus company.

The teachers further want an independent investigation to be carried out on the school.

Nsubuga, however, in an earlier statement denied allegations of selling school land saying a decision to lease part of the school land was reached by the board which gave part of the land to Volcano Ltd a company that wanted to establish a bus terminal.

She also stated that the school needed funds to finance other projects such as fencing so as to improve on security.

Late last year, the Observer Newspaper reported of how Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago,had been sucked into the land controversy following a petition by Moses Kataabu, the lord councilor of Kampala Central II to the Education Minister, Janet Museveni, to stop the sale/lease of Old Kampala Secondary School land at Sh10bn.

A school block at Old Kampala SS

Kataabu in his letter had accused Lukwago of witnessing the transaction for the school to be leased through a firm that he owns i.e Lukwago & Co. Advocates.

However, Lukwago denied the involvement but instead called for the reversal of the deal who his partner had been part of.

Nsubuga took over the management of the school from Mr. Emmanuel Mukasa in 2015.

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Muyingo advises students on scholarships to harness marketable skills abroad

Gerald Businge — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 13:39:32 +0000

The state Minister for Higher Education, John Chrysostom Muyingo

The Ministry of Education and Sports has asked students who are given education sponsorship abroad to utilize this opportunity and attain skills that will enable them get jobs as government struggles to add on more employment opportunities for the youth.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Higher education John Chrysostom Muyingo while at Ashinaga Cultural performance which attracted youth from America, Japan and Uganda held at Ndere Troupe Cultural Centre in Ntinda.

“Ashinaga” means “long legs” in Japanese. The organization was inspired by, and named after, the anonymous donor described in the Daddy-Long-Legs novel.

Ashinaga’s mission is to utilize broad-based philanthropic support to achieve the following; Provision of scholarships, in the form of interest-free loans, Promotion of educational endeavors, Provision of emotional support to children who have lost one or both parents as a result of illness, accident/disaster, or suicide, as well as children who have a parent with a disability that prevents them from working.

Muyingo praised the efforts of the Japanese government and its contribution towards the country’s education since 2006 where over 30 students have attained education from Japanese Universities, noting that even in September this year, more 3 students in preparations to start university education in Japan.

He noted that countries which were at the same education standard and poverty level since 1960 in Asia have transformed economically using ingredients of quality education hence triggering development.
He revealed that government will strongly work on improving the quality of education especially at this time when the first lady is the minister of education and sports.

He implored the children to read hard in attaining better results and he warned parents to avoid engaging children in child labour, early pregnancies, drug abuse and child marriage among other issues so as to reduce on the school dropouts.

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Promotions and new recruitments announced at Ministry of Education and Sports

Gerald Businge — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:38:02 +0000

The Education Service Commission has announced new appointments and promotion of 51 top officials at Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports.

The Commission on Tuesday announced promotion of several officials, including the ministry’s undersecretary, directors, and commissioners, assistant commissioners, the inspector of schools and other senior personnel.

Uganda Minister of Education Geraldine Namirembe Bitamazire

The changes have seen Dr. Geoffrey Mbabazi, the education service commission secretary, Yusuf Nsubuga, Elizabeth Gabona, and Francis Okinyal promoted.

The ministry spokesperson Aggrey Kibenge, has been promoted to an undersecretary, while over 5,000 teachers are to be promoted before the closure of this financial year.

According to a statement from the ministry, the changes will see about 1,000 secondary school teachers and 4,000 Grade III primary teachers become senior education assistants. Another 1,000 assistant education officers will be promoted to education officers.

The statement adds that the promotions are intended to improve the welfare of the teachers and the quality of education.

The Commissioner for Secondary Education, John Agaba says the government has also recruited 800 new teachers especially for science subjects. He says most of these new teachers will be deployed in the seed schools that government established in each sub-county.

Ultimate Media

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