Changing Education Policies Reshape Private School Investments in Bugisu

What the report says

Private school proprietors in Uganda’s Bugisu sub-region are coming under increased financial strain as lower enrolment, higher teacher salaries and shifting education policy change the economics of running schools, according to Nile Post. The article says the pressures have intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic and are forcing owners to rethink how they invest in, manage and sustain their institutions.

In Mbale City, the report points to a gap between the large number of private schools and the share of learners they serve. While private institutions make up most primary and secondary schools in the city, government-owned and aided schools enrol far more students. The piece says this imbalance is leaving many private schools with too little fee income to cover salaries, utilities, learning materials and maintenance.

Educationist Gonzaga Rwaga said some families moved children to cheaper schools or government institutions after household finances were affected by the pandemic. Former education commissioner and consultant Sam Kuloba said the expansion of government schools, including seed secondary schools, has also drawn learners away from private institutions that once depended on pupils from surrounding districts. He added that rising pay expectations, especially for science teachers, are making staff retention harder for private schools with limited revenue.

The article also notes that the competence-based curriculum is adding new demands on schools, including teaching materials and classroom adjustments. Kuloba argues that private schools can still remain viable if proprietors use realistic budgets, transparent accounting and long-term planning, and assess local demand before investing. More broadly, the report suggests private education in Bugisu now requires closer financial discipline and stronger management to stay sustainable.