By Kato Jamil
The Ugandan government is set to revolutionize its education system by introducing a comprehensive school feeding program targeting over 8.6 million learners in Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools. This initiative, announced by First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni, aims to combat hunger, reduce dropout rates, and improve educational outcomes across the country.
The program forms part of the NRM government’s 2021–2026 education agenda and includes a draft national school feeding policy, alignment with the Global School Meals Coalition, and school-specific feeding guidelines. Starting in the 2025/2026 fiscal year, meals will be regionally tailored to align with locally available produce, keeping costs manageable while enhancing the nutritional well-being of students.
The move has been lauded by education stakeholders, including Dr. Marry Nakabugo of Uwezo Uganda and Patrick Kaboyo of the Education Advocacy Network, who emphasize its potential to boost attendance, reduce absenteeism, and make learning more effective.
Additionally, the government is prioritizing educational materials, allocating billions to improve the textbook-to-pupil ratio. This dual strategy of addressing hunger and resources underscores a broader commitment to quality education.
With a budget-intensive rollout anticipated, this initiative could significantly reshape Uganda’s education landscape, fostering equity and improved academic performance.
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