MPs Should Pass a Law Restricting Government Scholarships to Students in Public Schools
On 15 January 2026, Ugandans voted for the President and Members of Parliament of the 12th Parliament. Unlike the presidency, which has remained unchanged for nearly four decades, parliamentary elections continue to register significant turnover. In past elections, including those of 2016, analyses showed an attrition rate of nearly 60 percent for directly elected MPs. This trend suggests that change in Parliament—and other local government positions such as district and sub-county chairpersons, mayors, and councillors—is not only possible but expected.
Because leadership changes, each elected official has an opportunity to leave a distinct impact on their community, however small. In this article, I focus on how Members of Parliament (MPs) can improve education in their constituencies. In Uganda, the role of an MP includes representation, legislation, oversight, budget approval, and advocacy to ensure citizens’ interests are reflected in national governance. This makes the role of an MP both national and local in nature.
First and foremost, MPs should support schools to establish school feeding programmes. Most government primary schools have large chunks of land, often underutilized or used mainly by teachers. This land should instead be used for the overall benefit of the school. Hunger negatively affects enrolment, attendance, concentration, and retention. MPs can help secure land for school feeding programmes in each primary school, provide seeds and basic garden tools, and support the establishment of school feeding committees. Pupils can contribute labour as part of learning, while parents can make small contributions to support cooking staff.
Secondly, MPs can initiate inter-school competitions in areas such as debating, innovation, coding, public speaking, and creative writing. These activities require relatively small budgets but provide invaluable exposure and motivation for learners and teachers. An MP can dedicate time to attend the finals and award certificates and prizes. Such competitions can be coordinated through the MP’s office in collaboration with community-based organisations (CBOs) and district or city education officers.
Thirdly, MPs should closely monitor the utilisation of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and Universal Secondary Education (USE) grants in primary and secondary schools respectively. Despite government funding, many public schools continue to perform poorly compared to private schools, partly due to corruption and misuse of public resources. If MPs focus only on winning votes and ignore such challenges, rural schools in particular will remain in a deplorable state, crushing the dreams of many children.
Fourthly, MPs of the 12th Parliament should advocate for progressive education laws and policies. These include the removal of application fees for student loans and the PUJAB form, restricting government scholarships to students who have studied in public schools, and reducing fees in public institutions. Charging poor students to access government funding is unfair and undermines equal opportunity. Eliminating these fees would democratise access to higher education, while ring-fencing scholarships for public school students would encourage public school enrolment and help curb examination malpractice driven by unhealthy competition among private schools.
Another important role MPs can play is visiting schools in their constituencies. One of my most memorable days in high school was in 2004, when our area MP, the late John Odit, visited Dr. Obote College Boroboro. The excitement was immense, and his words inspired us to work harder. Even a simple visit—sharing encouragement or spending time in a classroom—can motivate learners and positively shape their educational journey.
In conclusion, while Members of Parliament may serve limited terms, their impact on education can be lasting and transformative if they lead with focus and purpose. By supporting school feeding programmes, promoting learner-centred competitions, ensuring accountability in school financing, advocating for fair and inclusive national policies, and maintaining a visible human presence in schools, MPs can directly shape the futures of children in their constituencies.
As Ugandans head to the polls on 15 January 2026, education should be a key yardstick for judging candidates. Let us choose leaders committed to investing in our children and the nation’s future.
Emmanuel Angoda is the founder of Triskelion Education and Skills Initiative (TESI) and a teacher at Lira Town College.
📧 angodaemmanuel@gmail.com
