Namisindwa Secondary School closed over sanitation, illegal fees

What the report says

The Observer reported that Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports has temporarily suspended operations at Namisindwa Senior Secondary School after concerns were raised about sanitation conditions and alleged illegal fee collection. The government-aided school, which reportedly has more than 600 learners, was closed following a Wednesday inspection by Local Government minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi.

According to the report, Barugahara said the inspection found the school lacked functioning toilet facilities despite receiving about Shs 44 million per term in government capitation grants. He said he consulted acting Education minister Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo and State Minister for Regional Affairs Simon Mulongo, after which officials agreed to close the school until Monday so management could address the sanitation problem.

The ministry directed the school administration to empty, repair and make existing pit latrines safe for use before students return. The inspection also reportedly found that students were being charged Shs 65,000 each, which officials said was inconsistent with the Universal Secondary Education programme and presidential guidance against unauthorised charges in government-funded schools.

Barugahara directed the headteacher and other responsible officials to appear before relevant investigative bodies over the alleged misuse of public funds and fee collection. Namisindwa District LCV chairperson Emma Bwayo welcomed the intervention, saying local leaders had also been concerned about the school’s sanitation and management. The case matters because it touches on learner safety, compliance with free education policy, and accountability for public funds in government-supported schools.