Minister Kaboyo faults residents for underutilising govt projects

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The State Minister for Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori region, Alice Kaboyo, has criticised residents for underutilising the various social infrastructural projects that the government has established in Greater Luwero.

Kaboyo, on October 17, 2025, cited an example of government schools and other training facilities, such as technical institutes in the region that have very low student enrolment despite heavy government investment.

She made the remarks while commissioning a three-classroom block and a latrine constructed by the government at Kikube Church of Uganda Primary School in Katikamu North Constituency.

The minister had earlier learnt from administrators at Kikube Primary School that, despite the government constructing two new classroom blocks, the school had only 200 pupils.

Kaboyo, who had commissioned a similar project two days earlier in Ngoma sub-county in Nakaseke North, noted that many parents were reluctant to take their children to school, preferring to keep them in gardens or marry them off for dowry.

The new three-classroom block that was commissioned by the State Minister for Luwero Triangle and Rwenzori region, Alice Kaboyo. (Photo by Frederick Kiwanuka)

"We built these schools for you so that you use them to educate your children. But unfortunately, you keep them at home," Kaboyo said. She wondered why Kikube Primary School, located in a well-populated area, had only 200 pupils.

The minister also blamed the low enrolment on head teachers who charge extra fees, making the schools unaffordable for poor parents.

She, however, said the charging of extra fees would soon cease to be an excuse for keeping children at home because the NRM government is planning to introduce free education during President Museveni's next term of office.

Kaboyo also noted that residents were shunning employment opportunities in the numerous industries, such as Victoria Sugar Works, which have been established in the area, forcing employers to bring in workers from other regions.

"I discovered when I went there (Victoria Sugar Works) that I could not talk to the workers in Luganda because almost all of them come from other regions," she said.

Kaboyo advised administrators of learning institutions to keep their schools organised and appealing so that learners not only acquire classroom knowledge but also virtues such as cleanliness.

"A school must look like a school, with pathways, a signpost, well planted with trees," she said.

Kaboyo observed that, in addition to lacking a signpost, Kikube Primary School had a bushy, disorganised compound full of anthills, with no pathways or trees.

The minister said the NRM government had prioritised developing districts in Greater Luweero because of the support the people of the region gave during the liberation war.

The Luwero district secretary for education, Daniel Kyaterekera, thanked the government for constructing classrooms at various schools in the district.

Kyaterekera, however, said there was still a big demand for classroom space and teachers’ houses in Luweero’s UPE schools.