BUHWEJU DISTRICT
Buhweju District Local Government has given 95 private schools reportedly operating without valid licences a three-month grace period to regularise their status, with authorities warning that no school will be allowed to open for First Term 2027 without a valid operating licence or provisional licence.
The resolution was reached on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, during a meeting between Buhweju District leaders, head teachers and proprietors of private schools at the Buhweju District Council Hall. The meeting followed a July 27, 2026 letter from the District Education Office directing institutions without valid licences or registration to comply with the required education standards.
The meeting was headed by the representative of the Chief Administrative Officer, Agaba Mildred, the Principal Administrative Secretary (PAS), alongside Buhweju District LCV Chairman Atuhaire Deo, also known as Omuhatiizi, and other district technical staff.
Addressing the meeting, District Education Officer Gabaami Fred James said licensing and registration of private schools is a legal requirement and an important measure for protecting learners, recognising school owners and enabling the district to properly plan, supervise and support education institutions.
According to Gabaami, some private schools in Buhweju are operating without licences, while others have expired licences or have expanded from nursery sections to primary sections without the required approval.
He urged proprietors to begin the licensing and registration process, renew expired licences, seek approval from the District Education Office before opening additional classes or sections and requested them to begin the process within 30 days.
The DEO said schools are expected to meet basic requirements, including suitable land, safe classroom structures, adequate sanitation facilities, qualified teachers and basic teaching materials. He further explained that his office would guide proprietors through the compliance process.
The three-month grace period announced by Chairman LCV Atuhaire Deo extends the earlier 30-day period proposed by the District Education Officer for schools to begin submitting their documentation and regularising their status. The chairman said the district would not allow unlicensed schools to open for First Term 2027.
Private school proprietors told the meeting that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their operations and affected their ability to complete licensing processes, but pledged to work on the requirements and regularise their schools within the given period.
Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports identifies licensing and registration as part of its responsibilities in regulating private schools and institutions. The Education (Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act also provides for the licensing, registration and classification of private schools.
District authorities have therefore urged all affected proprietors to use the grace period to complete the required procedures, warning that enforcement measures will follow against institutions that remain non-compliant.
END
