Parents Urged to Live Within Means as Schools Reopen for Third Term

What the report says

Parents in Uganda have been urged to choose schools they can reasonably afford and to make careful financial decisions as learners return for the third term. The Nile Post reported that the advice comes amid growing concern about education costs and the pressure many households face from school fees and related requirements.

According to the article, schools reopened on Monday, 14 September 2026, while some parents were still struggling to send children back to class because of financial constraints. The report says that, in some cases, families have turned to loans from money lenders, SACCOS and banks to meet school-related expenses.

The comments were made on Salam TV’s Omukeeze programme by Buyuungo Zam Zam. She said part of the problem is that some parents enroll children in schools beyond their means, which can push families into unnecessary debt. She also noted that the traditional practice of paying fees for a full year in advance has become less common because education costs are now harder for many families to manage.

The discussion highlights a wider household budgeting challenge that often accompanies the back-to-school season in Uganda. The article also reflected Zam Zam’s broader advice on family financial support and planning, underscoring how school reopening periods can deepen economic strain for parents already balancing multiple obligations.