Matthew Lwanga a businessman in Kampala paid for two of his boys’ tuition for three years in one of the public universities of Uganda. Unfortunately, when it reached graduation, all his boys disappeared.

On close scrutiny and investigation, Lwanga learnt that one son had stopped studying in his second year to start a business.  Another son had used the money to support his girlfriend to go to the U.S.A and he was soon to follow her.

Lwanga was very disappointed to learn about the news. Every semester he had given his two boys full tuition on time, pocket money and hostel fee. However, it was heartbreaking that none of his boys had got a university degree.

It is not only Lwanga who falls prey to that predicament, Dr. Aaron Mushengyezi former dean of the school of Languages Literature and Communication, Makerere University  and now Vice-Chancellor Uganda Christian University, Mukono says there are many parents who experience that.

“I   know of some students who just get a graduation gown to fool their parents that they have completed the course,” Mushengyezi reveals.  “But when the parents become suspicious and press the matter further, you find that these students even never registered for a single semester.”

Paying tuition

First of all, before you pay tuition,  Mushengyezi advises you to take interest in what programmes your child will study.  “There are some parents who do not know what course their children are pursuing,” Mushengyezi says. “Once they give tuition to the children, their responsibility as a parent is done.”    By knowing your child’s programme, it will give you an idea of what they are doing and hence help you follow it up.

Know the course and the heads of department

If you are busy, Mushengyezi argues that such parents should have confidants who can check on their children at the institution. “A confidant can be a lecturer, your friend, or even coursemate of your child,” he explains says.  “These can update you on what your child is up to.”

Demand for termly or annual progress reports

Furthermore, you can demand a report about the academic progress of your child. Universities do course works and exams at the end of the semester, the results, therefore, are always pinned at the departmental boards and online.  If a parent asks for the marks and his child is aloof, then he or she can go and head and check on the noticeboards or ask the head of the department.

George William Byarugaba  Bazirake, a former dean of the Faculty of Science and a professor at   Kyambogo University says that a student can be able to acquire a partial testimonial at the end of the academic year.

Get hold of the university receipt

Besides that, in order not to be fleeced, a parent should have proof that the student has actually paid the money.  

A fully stamped receipt should show that the student paid the tuition and then the parent can follow up on other matters.   In fact, some parents do not allow their children to pay tuition, but they do it.

Lilian Kyobe says that as a single mother she can never dream of seeing her money disappear like that. “My three children have all graduated and I have never let them bank school fees on their own,” she reveals. “I always go to the bank with them and I sit somewhere.  A child makes line and after he has paid the money, I see the receipt and I return to work.”

Bazirake says that if you are too busy to go to the bank, you can pay online. “With the coming of the internet,” Bazirake says, “parents can now save their time by banking online.” This will prevent your money from being gambled or turned into capital by unserious and adventurous youngerstars.