The Ministry of Education and Sports has defended the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government’s four-decade record in transforming Uganda’s education and sports sector, citing significant expansion in institutions, enrolment, and infrastructure since 1986.
In a statement issued on Thursday ahead of President Museveni’s May 12 swearing-in ceremony, the ministry said the country’s education institutions have grown from about 7,600 in 1985 to 79,819 schools and learning institutions by May 2026.
The statement, released by ministry spokesperson Dennis Mugimba, described the changes as “significant strides” under the NRM administration.
“We take this opportunity as the Ministry of Education and Sports led by First Lady Maama Janet Museveni, to share with the public the significant strides the sector has made during this 40-years journey under the NRM administration,” Mugimba said.
He noted that Uganda’s population has grown from 15 million in 1986 to about 53 million in 2026, while administrative units have increased from 33 districts to 177 districts, cities, and municipalities.
According to the ministry, Uganda now has 45,466 primary schools, 7,503 secondary schools, 1,494 post-primary institutions, 126 international schools, and 55 universities and degree-awarding institutions.
The ministry said despite the growth in private education providers, most learners remain in public schools due to affordability and accessibility. It noted that 79 percent of primary learners and 61 percent of secondary learners are enrolled in public institutions.
A key milestone highlighted in the statement was the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1997, which the ministry described as a turning point in access to education.
“Within one year of introduction of UPE, enrolment in Primary Schools doubled from 2.5 million to 5 million pupils,” Mugimba said, adding that current enrolment has surpassed nine million learners.
The ministry said primary school enrolment for children aged six to 12 years has risen from 35–46 percent in the early 1980s to about 91 percent today.
It further described UPE as “perhaps the greatest catalyst in the socio-economic transformation of Uganda,” noting that more than 20 million learners have passed through the programme despite existing challenges.
Universal Secondary Education (USE), introduced in 2007, was also credited with boosting secondary school enrolment from fewer than 180,000 learners in 1986 to about 2.1 million today.
The number of public secondary schools has grown from 527 in 1986 to 1,515 in 2025, supported by the construction of 250 seed schools over the past decade, with 116 more currently under construction.
The ministry also reported improvements in gender parity, noting that girls’ enrolment in primary schools is now nearly equal to that of boys, while female participation in higher education has increased from about 17 percent before 1986 to between 44 and 47 percent today.
In higher education, Uganda has expanded from a single public university—Makerere University—to 10 public universities across the country. Annual university graduations have increased from about 1,000 in 1986 to 40,000 currently.
The ministry also highlighted growth in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), noting that public institutions have increased from about 50 in 1986 to 146 today, alongside more than 800 private providers. TVET enrolment has risen to 103,000 trainees with an 84 percent completion rate.
On sports development, the ministry said government funding has grown from less than Shs300 million in the late 1990s to over Shs500 billion in recent financial years.
It added that Uganda’s sports infrastructure has expanded to include facilities such as Namboole Stadium, Hoima City Stadium, Teryet facilities, and the ongoing Akii-Bua Olympic Stadium in Lira City.
Uganda has also recorded 13 Olympic medals, over 50 Commonwealth medals, and more than 80 medals in African Games and other competitions, according to the ministry.
The statement further highlighted policy reforms including the National Teacher Policy, National Sports Act, TVET Act, and curriculum reforms aimed at strengthening competence-based learning.
Mugimba said the reforms form part of broader efforts to support Uganda’s socio-economic transformation agenda through education and skills development.
Email:homelandnewspaper@gmail.com
