President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a stern warning to individuals sabotaging Uganda’s free education system, accusing them of derailing the government’s efforts to uplift poor families through Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE).
Speaking during the official launch of the Greater Mubende Zonal Industrial Skilling Hub, the President openly criticized school administrators and local leaders who impose hidden charges on learners in public schools.
“People who have introduced charges in UPE and USE schools may not go to heaven!” President Museveni declared, drawing cheers from the crowd.
He added that such actions contradict the core mission of the UPE and USE programs.
“These programs were designed to support the poor. Anyone who adds a financial burden on already struggling families is doing the opposite of what God wants,” he said.
To address these challenges, President Museveni unveiled a bold plan under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government to offer truly free and practical education through industrial skilling hubs.
“The NRM can use force, but we don’t. I said, let me start something really free. This zonal hub can accommodate 240 students from five districts of Greater Mubende,” he explained.
“We are not just teaching them, we are preparing them to enter the money economy,” the President added.
He emphasized that these hubs provide more than just technical training—they also offer accommodation and meals to ensure that learners can focus on acquiring the skills they need to become productive citizens.
“The goal is to equip every young Ugandan with practical, hands-on skills so they can become self-reliant and contribute to national development,” he stated.
The President highlighted carpentry, tailoring, and welding as key trades that young people should pursue after completing UPE and USE.
“After UPE and USE, we must guide our youth into trades. This is how they start to earn,” he said.“Industrial skilling hubs are the new path forward. We want to produce job creators, not just job seekers,” he emphasized.
President Museveni also spoke strongly against youth idleness, commonly referred to as “kusaka” in the local slang.
“We don’t need more young people hanging around towns and villages aimlessly in the name of ‘kusaka.’ We need more hubs in areas like motor mechanics and textile sales—not more street talk,” he warned.
He reiterated that technical trades are the surest route for young Ugandans to transition from economic dependency to self-sufficiency.
On financial empowerment, President Museveni announced a new directive concerning SACCO (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization) funds.
“I have directed that SACCO funds be allocated through the Districts—not intermediaries,” he said. “We’re not training them to stay idle. They must get the capital they need to create wealth,” he insisted.
He said this measure will make it easier for skilling hub graduates to access startup capital and launch small businesses in their communities.
Turning to the region’s ongoing land challenges, President Museveni promised to tackle the issue in a separate meeting with local leaders.
“I’ll address that in the leaders’ meeting later today,” he said briefly, assuring residents that the matter would be handled decisively but lawfully.