Education Ministry Backs Balaam Crackdown, Says No Protection for Corrupt Headteachers

The Ministry of Education and Sports has warned school administrators across Uganda against engaging in corruption, saying it will not intervene to protect headteachers who are arrested over corruption-related allegations.

The warning was contained in a message from the Acting Minister for Education and Sports ,Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, delivered by the Lira City Resident City Commissioner,Emmy Lawrence Egole,during a meeting of the Association of Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU) on Friday,September 4, 2026. Dr Muyingo said the Ministry was aware of the ongoing operations by the Minister for Local Government,Balam Byeruhanga Ateenyi,against alleged corruption in schools across the country.

He cautioned headteachers and other school administrators to strictly avoid corrupt practices,stressing that the Ministry would not come to the rescue of anyone arrested over proven allegations of corruption.

According to the minister,any school official found to have been involved in corruption or other unlawful activities would be held personally responsible for their actions. 

“The Ministry will not protect anybody involved in corruption,” Dr Muyingo warned, urging school administrators to uphold transparency and accountability in managing public resources.

The minister also acknowledged several challenges affecting government-aided schools operating under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme. Among the challenges,he cited inadequate teaching staff and infrastructure,among other issues affecting the quality of education.

He said the Ministry and the government were committed to addressing the challenges gradually. Dr Muyingo further appealed to parents to provide meals for their children while at school,saying proper nutrition was essential for effective learning and improved academic performance.

He also warned school administrators against illegally sending learners home because of school fees,saying the Ministry would take action against institutions and individuals found to be violating the rights of children to education.

The minister said education authorities were closely monitoring schools and would ensure that any official found unfairly denying learners access to education is dealt with in accordance with the law. He urged school administrators to ensure that learners receive quality education and have access to the necessary requirements to support their academic development.

Dr Muyingo's warning comes after headteachers of the Association of Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU) on Thursday,September 3, 2026, called on the government to take firm action against Minister Balam Byeruhanga Ateenyi rather than allegedly targeting only school administrators accused of corruption.

Some ASSHU members argued that the fight against corruption should be conducted fairly and transparently,following reports that several individuals had been arrested and remanded to Luzira Prison.

The two-day ASSHU meeting was held at St Catherine Secondary School in Lira City and attracted about 1,400 headteachers and other education stakeholders from different parts of Uganda. The association also announced that its next annual meeting would be held in the Karamoja sub-region.