State Minister for Education (Sports) Peter Ogwang during a parliament session .
By Johannah Nantongo
The Ministry of Education and Sports has warned boarding schools operating without official authorisation that they will face action as the government moves to strengthen learner safety and improve standards in school accommodation facilities.
State Minister for Education (Sports) Peter Ogwang said all schools operating boarding sections must obtain the required approval, provide adequate facilities and undergo regular inspections to ensure learners are protected from abuse and other safety risks.
“A boarding section must be properly authorised, adequately resourced, regularly inspected and run in the best interests of learners,” Ogwang said.
The minister made the remarks while presenting a statement on the requirements for operating boarding sections during a plenary sitting of Parliament on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
He said schools must ensure proper supervision of learners, establish clear procedures for reporting abuse and maintain acceptable standards of food, nutrition and hygiene. Schools must also clearly define responsibilities for financing and maintaining boarding facilities.
Ogwang warned that the ministry would require schools to address any shortcomings identified during inspections and take appropriate action against institutions operating unlawfully or exposing learners to unacceptable risks.
He further cautioned administrators of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools against diverting government funds to unauthorised boarding facilities.
Although boarding in UPE and USE schools is voluntary, Ogwang said it should support the government’s goal of expanding access to free basic education, particularly for disadvantaged children.
“Boarding must serve the interests of learners and must not stand in the way of free basic education,” he said, adding that the ministry would periodically review the need for boarding facilities in UPE and USE schools.
Members of Parliament welcomed the guidelines, with Kilak South County MP Gilbert Olanya describing them as an important control measure for preventing safety incidents, including fire outbreaks.
“The moment you leave the door open, as a country, we shall regret,” Olanya said, urging schools to put measures in place to control fire outbreaks.
Hoima District Woman Representative Beatrice Wembabazi called on the ministry to strengthen routine inspections to ensure schools comply with safety requirements.
“I want to request the Ministry of Education to take care and do regular supervision so that we can guarantee the safety of our learners,” she said.
Meanwhile, MP representing Persons with Disabilities Laura Kanushu urged the ministry to ensure boarding schools provide accessible infrastructure for learners with disabilities.
She cited ramps and accessible toilets as essential facilities that would enable children with disabilities to access and use school buildings safely.
George Musisi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) MP for Kira Municipality, called for the guidelines to take into account differences in geographical location and the challenges faced by schools in hard-to-reach areas.
“What we need is not only one document; the minister needs to present other minimum standards, taking into consideration all other challenges in different areas,” Musisi said.
The debate highlighted calls for stronger enforcement of school safety standards, regular inspections and inclusive infrastructure, alongside flexibility to address the varying conditions under which schools operate across the country.