Kasese District has been urged to use the upcoming National Private Schools Day celebrations as an opportunity to showcase its educational achievements and attract national attention.
The call was made by the National Chairperson of the National Private Educational Institutions Association of Uganda (NPEIA-Uganda), Hasadu Kirabira, during a planning meeting on 14th June 2026 held at Skyline Gardens ahead of the national celebrations scheduled for August 6 at Nyakasanga Playground in Kasese Municipality.
Kirabira said the event is expected to attract more than 1,000 guests, including school proprietors, education stakeholders, and learners from across the country, providing Kasese with a rare opportunity to market its strengths in education, infrastructure, tourism, and development.
He noted that Kasese earned the right to host the national event after emerging ahead of other competing districts, including Lira, Gulu, and Arua. According to Kirabira, the district’s strong commitment to private education and the sector’s continued growth played a key role in securing the hosting rights.
Kirabira explained that the private education sector in Kasese is among the strongest in Uganda, making the district a suitable venue for the celebrations. Speaking about the contribution of private schools to Uganda’s education system, he cited data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), indicating that the private sector provides a significant share of the country’s education infrastructure and services.
He said that while the government remains responsible for policy formulation, curriculum development, examinations, and regulation, private schools continue to play a vital role in expanding access to education.
However, Kirabira challenged private school owners to maintain high standards and professionalism, warning that the government is preparing to introduce new education regulations aimed at eliminating illegal and substandard schools.
He urged school proprietors to improve infrastructure, management systems, and compliance with existing education requirements before the proposed Education Order Bill is enacted.
Kirabira also stressed the importance of accountability among school administrators, noting that poor management practices in some institutions continue to tarnish the image of the private education sector.
He revealed that consultations on the proposed policy and legal reforms are ongoing, with the government seeking views from education stakeholders before implementation.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Private Schools in Kasese Municipality, James Tashuya, welcomed the decision to select Kasese as the host district for the national celebrations.
Tashuya pledged that the NPEIA leadership in Kasese, working together with regional chairpersons and other stakeholders, will ensure the event is colourful, successful, and memorable.
He also commended the national leadership of NPEIA-Uganda for promoting the association’s vision beyond Uganda and strengthening partnerships within the East African region.
The National Private Schools Day celebrations are expected to bring together education leaders, school owners, teachers, learners, and policymakers to discuss the future of private education in Uganda.
By Innocent Kiiza
