Uganda: Low Turnout Marks Reopening of First Term in Kamwenge District

Schools across Kamwenge District reopened today for the first term of 2026, following a one-week delay from the original academic calendar.

According to the Ministry of Education and Sports, the term was initially scheduled to begin on February 2, 2026, but reopening was postponed due to safety concerns during the election period.

Despite a 100 percent turnout of teachers in both government-aided and private schools, pupil attendance remained low in several primary schools.

At Kamwenge Railways Primary School, only about 200 pupils out of 658 had reported by midday. Kamwenge Primary School recorded 259 learners out of 940, while St. Paul Primary School registered just over 160 out of 498 pupils.

Head teachers attributed the low turnout to financial constraints facing parents at the start of the term.

"Most parents are still looking for scholastic materials before sending their children back to school. We are optimistic that by Monday next week, all learners will have reported," one head teacher said.

Private schools reported better attendance, though still below expectations.

Andrew Muhwezi, Deputy Head Teacher at Prime Preparatory School Kamwenge, said the school received about half of its learners from last term.

"We have registered about 50 percent of our previous enrolment. We encourage parents who are still struggling with school fees to bring their children to school as they secure the money. Learning should not be delayed," Muhwezi said.

At the secondary school level, institutions adopted a phased reporting schedule, with candidate classes reporting earlier, while Senior One and Senior Two students returned today.

Victor Arinitwe of St Thomas Aquinas College Kamwenge said attendance was strong, with over 80 percent of students already back.

David Asiimwe Sita of Greenhill High School shared similar sentiments, noting that full reporting is expected in the coming days.

District authorities have cautioned parents against keeping children at home, warning that late reporting disrupts academic progress and affects performance.

Parents are urged to prioritize timely reporting as schools resume normal operations for the first term of 2026.

This article originally appeared on Nile Post.