NRM cadres' group says to hold 28 years of UPE celebrations

_________________

A coalition of young Ugandans identifying as National Resistance Movement (NRM) party cadres says it plans to commemorate 28 years of the Universal Primary Education (UPE) policy. 

The group says the event also aims to celebrate President Yoweri Museveni for UPE's transformative impact on education access. 

The event, dubbed: National Thanksgiving ceremony, set for November 23, 2025, at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala, is expected to honour the initiative that has empowered millions of children, including those from humble backgrounds, to access schooling.

The UPE programe was introduced in 1997 for all people who wanted to access primary education to do so tuition-free. It has now become the provider of primary education for the majority of children in Uganda. The programme was launched in 1997 on recommendations of the Education Policy Review Commission (EPRC, 1989) as implored by the Government White Paper on Education (1992). The objectives of the UPE policy were:

1) To provide facilities and resources to enable every child to enter school;

2) To ensure the completion of the primary cycle of education;

3) To make education equitable to eliminate disparities and inequalities;

4) To ensure that education is affordable to the majority of Ugandans; and

5) To reduce poverty by equipping every individual with basic skills

A National Planning Authority UPE evaluation report says: Overall, empirical evidence indicates that the UPE policy remains relevant, pro-poor and has largely fulfilled its primary objective of increasing equitable access.

The party cadres' chairperson, Twebaze Johnson Matusa, on November 17, 2025, told the media at Bugolobi’s Krystal Restaurant that UPE has a monumental role. 

“Over 30,000 Ugandans have benefitted from UPE, a policy that democratised education regardless of socioeconomic status,” he said. 

“This is not just the NRM’s achievement—it belongs to all Ugandans.” 

He urged attendees to converge at Kololo to thank President Museveni, who is expected to be joined by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet.

The group highlighted two beneficiaries present at the breifing: Dr Kibirige Joseph, a physician, and a UPDF air force officer, both from modest origins. Their success stories showed UPE’s power to transform lives. 

“Without UPE, many of us would never have reached these heights,” the officer said, reflecting on the policy’s legacy.

Co-ordinator Paul Abaho said the event has a dual purpose: To celebrate UPE’s milestones and inspiring current and future generations. 

“Many are called, but few return to say thank you. We want to change that,” he said, outlining plans for youth networking sessions, speeches, and entertainment. 

Following the Kololo event, the group will launch a national tour visiting Mbarara, Jinja, Mbale, Gulu, Arua, and Busia to amplify UPE’s reach.

The organisers aim to reignite commitment to Uganda’s education system while learning from UPE’s successes.