By Spy Uganda
The Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has officially written to the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, following allegations of illegal school charges and denial of education to vulnerable children in Buheesi SSS in Buheesi, Bunyangabu, Bunyangabu District.
In a letter dated May 7, 2026, addressed to the First Lady, Balaam called for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Education to address what he described as a deeply concerning matter affecting disadvantaged learners at the government-aided school.
The minister’s communication followed a petition submitted earlier this week by Pan-African Pyramid (PAP) Chairman Andrew Irumba Katusabe, an old student of the school, who accused the current head teacher of forcing poor learners out of school through compulsory financial demands.
“I am in receipt of a letter from Andrew Irumba Katusabe, the Chairman of The Pan-African Pyramid who also is an old student of Buheesi Senior Secondary School in Bunyangabu District,” Balaam wrote.
According to the minister, Irumba informed him that Buheesi Senior Secondary School was founded in the early 1990s by low-income parents with the aim of providing affordable education to disadvantaged children in the area.
However, Balaam noted that despite receiving government support and capitation grants under the Universal Secondary Education (USE) programme, the head teacher Mr. Anelyn Turyahabwa is allegedly presiding over practices that are pushing vulnerable learners out of the education system.
“In the letter, Mr. Irumba alleges that whereas the school currently receives government support and additional capitation grants, its management is causing unnecessary school dropout of vulnerable children through financial mismanagement, exploitation of student enrollment figures and violation of children’s right to education,” Balaam stated.
The minister appealed to the First Lady’s office for guidance and intervention to save affected learners from being denied their constitutional right to education.
“The purpose of this communication Maama, is to bring this concerning matter to your esteemed office and to your attention for advice and guidance so that we save the children who are the future of this country,” he added.
Copies of the letter were also sent to all Ministers of State in the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the Head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, and petitioner Andrew Irumba Katusabe.
The latest development comes just days after Balaam publicly ordered investigations into the school administration over allegations that students were being sent home for failure to pay unauthorized charges.
During a meeting with Irumba at his office in Kampala on Tuesday, the minister condemned any attempts by government schools to frustrate children from poor families through illegal fees.
“Government was paying 20,000 per student, and that has now been increased to 50,000 per child. Nobody should be charging anything in a government school,” Balaam said at the time.
The Pan-African Pyramid had earlier alleged that several students, including Mwesige Emmanuel, Muhumuza Ivan, and Musinguzi Albert, risked dropping out after reportedly being denied access to classes, report cards, and examinations due to inability to meet the newly introduced financial requirements.
The organization accuses the school’s head teacher, Mr Turyahabwa, of introducing compulsory payments that allegedly reversed previous flexible arrangements that accommodated children from vulnerable families.
Balaam has since directed the Bunyangabu Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to investigate the matter and ensure accountability, while also calling on the State House Anti-Corruption Unit headed by Brig. Gen. Henry Isoke to examine possible abuse of office and violations of government education policy.
The controversy has reignited national debate over illegal school charges in government-aided schools despite the existence of UPE and USE programs intended to guarantee free education for all children regardless of their economic background.
Investigations into the matter are expected to intensify in the coming days as education authorities and anti-corruption agencies assess the allegations against the school administration.
