MARU promises to keep Ugandan children in school

KAMPALA - Since the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) by the government under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, serious confessions have emerged as to why it registers poor results.

Some of the factors are a negative attitude towards UPE, unrealistic additional school charges, and lack of proper policies for inspection, retention, and sustaining children in school.

However, the government is obliged to ensure that quality and basic education are provided at all levels.

Prior, the latest National Household Survey (UNHS) report indicates that more children have been enrolled in primary schools in Uganda in the past seven years.

The report for 2023/24, which was officially released by finance state minister for planning Amos Lugoloobi, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Hotel Africana in Kampala, was compiled by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).

It indicates that the gross enrolment rate in primary schools in the country stood at 119.5% in 2023/24, up from 116.8% in 2016/17.

In rural areas, it stood at 121.2%, up from 117.7%, while in urban areas the rate stood at 116.3%, up from 113.8%.

In terms of gender, the gross enrolment rate (GER) for males stood at 119.9% in 2023/24, up from 117.7%, while for females it stood at 119.0%, up from 115.9%. 

However, to supplement government efforts mainly for low-income and rural families who continue to struggle with the rising costs associated with education, MARU Credit, a leading tier IV financial institution, has come to the forefront of efforts to make education more accessible for all. 

Through its "Back to School With MARU" campaign, the institution has promised to offer school fees loans of up to sh10m within 24 hours. 

Leah Kanziga (R) said their campaign is not just about providing financial solutions, but building lasting relationships with parents and supporting them in achieving their goals.

“This loan comes at a competitive interest rate of 2.5% per month on the reducing balance, with zero processing fees and a repayment period of up to four months,” said Leah Kanziga, the marketing and customer experience manager at MARU Credit, insisting on how the initiative eases back-to-school pressures.

“We understand the financial pressures that families face during the back-to-school season,” she said, adding that their school fees loan is designed to provide timely and practical support that allows parents to send their children back to school stress-free.

She revealed that their campaign is not just about providing financial solutions, but building lasting relationships with parents and supporting them in achieving their goals.

Universal education

Statistics indicate that primary school enrolment from independence to 1986, when President Museveni took power, increased by only 1.69 million children from half a million children in 1963 to 2.2 million children in 1986.

When the UPE programme was introduced, enrolment increased by 77%, from 2.2 million in 1986 to 5.3 million in 1997.