Biara Challenges Balaam Over School Contributions Directives

BULAMBULI – Bulambuli County Member of Parliament Hon. Biara Emmanuel Wephukulu has called for greater coordination within government after questioning directives emerging from the ongoing “Expose the Corrupt” campaign led by Minister of Local Government Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, particularly on contributions collected by government-aided schools.

Hon. Biara said government leaders and representatives of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni should ensure that their communication and directives remain consistent with guidance issued by the President and resolutions reached by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus.

His remarks come amid the minister's nationwide campaign targeting alleged corruption, misuse of public resources and poor service delivery in local governments.

The Ministry of Local Government says the campaign is intended to expose abuse of government programmes and funds, while recent inspections have also focused on schools and allegations surrounding illegal fees and pupil enrolment figures used in determining capitation grants.

Biara cites August Caucus resolutions

According to Biara, President Museveni gave guidance during the August NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo concerning the financial challenges facing schools.

He said the President advised that schools could continue collecting approved contributions to supplement learners' needs until the next financial year, when capitation grants would be enhanced.

The MP said this position was also reflected in the resolutions of the Parliamentary Caucus chaired by Government Chief Whip Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng.

Official accounts of the August 7 caucus meeting confirm that education was among the strategic sectors discussed by President Museveni and the legislators. The caucus adopted resolutions supporting government programmes in education, health, infrastructure, irrigation and other sectors, while also resolving to study the issue of school fees in public schools and make proposals on how government could address the challenge.

Biara said the subsequent emergence of directives that appear to differ from that guidance raises questions about the consistency of government communication.

“Are we moving as one united government, or are we working in isolation?” Biara asked.

Concerns over school financing

The Bulambuli legislator argued that the central issue should be how to adequately finance public education rather than decisions that could leave schools struggling to meet their operational obligations.

He said the current level of government funding remains insufficient for the day-to-day needs of many schools, making it necessary for government to strengthen capitation grants.

His position comes at a time when the question of school charges in government-aided institutions has attracted renewed attention during Minister Balaam's inspections.

For example, the Ministry of Local Government recently reported that Balaam visited Bududa Secondary School following allegations of illegal school fees. The ministry said parents had agreed to contribute Shs50,000 each toward a stalled school project, while the school also faced a staffing gap that resulted in privately paid teachers. Balaam reiterated government's position on free education in government-aided schools and warned against extorting parents.

In another case, four Mbale district officials were arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in July over allegations of unlawfully charging school fees under the Universal Secondary Education programme. The accused denied the charges.

Balaam's anti-corruption campaign

Minister Balaam's “Expose the Corrupt in Local Government” campaign has taken him to several districts to investigate allegations involving government funds, absenteeism, public projects and service delivery.

The Ministry of Local Government says the campaign follows presidential directives to investigate and address alleged theft and misuse of public resources.

The minister's recent inspections have included schools, where officials have examined pupil numbers, staffing and the use of government resources.

In Maracha, for instance, the ministry reported that Balaam visited Koi Primary School after concerns were raised over discrepancies between the number of pupils physically present and enrolment figures used for capitation purposes. The ministry said the minister sought to establish the facts before taking further action.

The campaign has also resulted in arrests and investigations in other districts. In Tororo, Balaam recently ordered the arrest of several officials over allegations including corruption, abuse of office and mismanagement of government funds.

Call for consultation and unity

While raising his concerns, Biara did not oppose efforts to fight corruption. Instead, he called for the different arms and representatives of government to operate within a coordinated framework.

He maintained that education policy decisions should involve consultation between the relevant institutions, particularly the Ministry of Education and Sports, Parliament and other government agencies responsible for financing and supervising schools.

According to the MP, schools need adequate resources to provide essential services to learners, and any measures concerning contributions should take into account the financial realities facing institutions.

He urged government leaders to uphold what he described as unity, consultation and responsible leadership, saying disagreements in communication could create uncertainty among school administrators, parents and learners.

Education funding at the centre of debate

The disagreement highlights a broader policy challenge: how government can maintain the principle of accessible public education while ensuring that schools have enough resources to operate effectively.

 Government funding through capitation grants is intended to support schools, but concerns over inadequate resources have repeatedly featured in debates about education financing.

At the same time, government has continued to crack down on unauthorized charges and alleged misuse of public funds in schools. The August NRM Caucus meeting itself resolved that MPs should study the school-fees issue and propose ways government could address it.

For Biara, the solution should therefore involve strengthening government financing while ensuring that any school contributions are properly approved, transparent and consistent with national policy.

He concluded by emphasizing that the welfare and future of Ugandan children should remain at the centre of decisions affecting the education sector.

“Let us uphold unity, consultation, and responsible leadership,” he said, stressing that the future of children should remain a shared priority.