KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports has implemented sweeping new guidelines aimed at curbing lavish displays of wealth and promoting discipline in schools, directly banning practices such as students arriving at functions in rented luxury vehicles or helicopters and prohibiting extravagant campaign materials for student elections.
The 26-page guidelines, obtained by The Associated Press, took immediate effect for the second term of the 2025 school calendar, following their dissemination to educational institutions and local authorities on May 16.
Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the permanent secretary at the education ministry, issued a circular directing that “all educational institutions — public and private must comply with these guidelines with immediate effect.” She also warned that headteachers or principals found flouting the new rules would face disciplinary action.
The move comes amid a growing trend of opulence in school events, including primary school functions, where students have reportedly hired expensive cars and even helicopters, and produced flashy campaign materials.
The new rules explicitly state that “no student or individual is allowed to bring hired vehicles, motorcycles or helicopters to school premises for such events.” Furthermore, externally organized entertainment and co-curricular activities involving students must receive prior approval from chief administrative officers for pre-primary and primary schools, and from the permanent secretary for post-primary and higher learning institutions.
Rules on Entertainment and Visitation
The guidelines stipulate that school administrations are responsible for planning and organizing entertainment events, ensuring they do not become a financial burden on parents. Explicitly forbidden is encouraging or allowing students to “pair up or make couples during the entertainment events, in imitation of marriage or romantic relationships.”
An outright ban has been placed on parents or others giving “success gifts” to students in candidate classes, in the form of money or material goods, at school. The rules also prohibit the “ostentatious display of wealth, opulence and luxury by the learners in schools, including at school entertainment events.”
Indecent dressing, including “skin-tight clothing, miniskirts, transparent dresses or generally clothing that leaves underwear and usually covered parts of the body exposed,” has been banned. School entertainment events are limited to daytime, not extending beyond 6:00 p.m., and are prohibited during holidays. Alcohol, smoking, and drug use are strictly forbidden on school premises and at events.
For school performances, including movies, films, dramas, and music, content must be approved by the National Media Council, the Uganda Communications Commission, and the education ministry, with only age-appropriate material allowed. These activities must not disrupt study time and must be part of the school’s annual program.
On visitation days, strict controls have been introduced. Time is limited from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with schools allowed no more than one visitation day per term. Only parents or guardians with visitation cards are permitted entry, with a limit of four visitors per student. Written authorization is required if a registered parent or guardian cannot attend, and schools must verify such authorizations.
Banned items during visitation days include cooked or processed food, fast food, and the preparation of food by parents on school grounds. Alcohol and other prohibited substances are also forbidden, even for personal consumption by parents. Camping by large groups and playing music or videos during visitations are also prohibited. Schools are barred from charging parents for visitation days or allowing outside catering services.
Headteachers are now required to coordinate with neighboring schools to avoid simultaneous visitation days that could cause public inconvenience. Students are not allowed to leave school compounds during visitation days, unless for medical reasons.
School Tours and Trips
The guidelines also impose new restrictions on school tours and trips. Student movement for these activities will not extend beyond 6:00 p.m., and schools must provide clear stopovers and sleepovers before departure.
Nursery and kindergarten students are prohibited from school tours or trips. Children in lower primary (Primary One to Primary Three) may only go on trips under “special circumstances” with maximum caution from school management. The ministry aims to prevent financial exploitation of parents through study tours.
Schools must specify acceptable and approved trips, ensuring alignment with educational objectives and considering financial implications for families. Local fieldwork around school premises is encouraged to minimize challenges.
For any school tour, police must be notified of the visit location, number of students, mode of travel, and contact information for the teacher in charge and headteacher. Students must dress decently in school uniform while on tours, and “unbecoming behavior” like drinking, smoking, drug abuse, and dancing on the road is prohibited. A teacher must always be present in the vehicle transporting students to ensure discipline.
Foreign Tours and Student Elections
All foreign school trips, educational or otherwise, require clearance from the education ministry. At least one teacher and two parents must accompany students on such trips. Schools must apply for approval, detailing the purpose, dates, itinerary, participants, costs, funding sources, and information about the tour company. This guidance applies only to school-organized foreign tours, not those arranged by private companies involving students from different schools.
Foreign tours must primarily have an educational purpose unique to Uganda and align with national values. Only students aged to travel without a parent or guardian are permitted on school-organized foreign tours. This effectively prohibits such tours for pre-primary and primary school students (those under 12 years). Schools are also forbidden from pressuring parents or students to participate in privately organized foreign tours. Tour companies used for school trips must be registered and vetted by the education ministry, and parents must sign permission and acceptance forms.
In student elections, candidates are banned from using commercially produced campaign materials such as T-shirts, caps, posters, or fliers. Hiring vehicles, music bands, or involving external groups, including parents or national political parties, is prohibited. Candidates are also strictly forbidden from inducing voters with monetary or material favors. Violators face immediate disqualification and disciplinary action.
Reactions
Joseph Kiggundu, a member of the Proprietors of Private Educational Institution Association in Uganda, said the association plans to discuss the guidelines internally before commenting publicly, seeking dialogue with the ministry.
Didas Orikiriza, executive director of the National Private Education Institutions Association, expressed concern that the government appears to be “frustrating” the sector with “many policy regulations,” urging prior engagement during policy formulation. He questioned the ban on foreign trips for younger children, asking, “If a nursery school in Uganda wants to visit a nursery school in China, how is that bad?”
However, several headteachers and school owners have voiced support for the restrictions on school entertainment, particularly prom parties. Lawrence Muwonge, headteacher of Buddo Secondary School, stated they do not have prom parties on their program. Haji Mustafa Nanfumba, director of Mpigi Mixed Secondary School, confirmed they have stopped such events.
Agnes Nsubuga, headmistress of St. Joseph’s Secondary School Naggalama, said they call it a “leavers’ party” and control all aspects, including clothing, to “protect the students.” Dr. Lilian Matovu, principal of Our Lady of Africa Senior Secondary School Namilyango, said they provide T-shirts for such days, beginning with Mass, followed by a luncheon and entertainment. Fr. Francis Baryebuga, headteacher of St. Andrea Kaahwa College School, noted they invite guests for prayers and lunch, followed by dancing in an open space until 6:00 p.m.
