In a renewed effort to nurture Uganda’s next generation of sporting champions, the Ministry of Education and Sports, through its Physical Education and Sports Department, has doubled down on grassroots sports scouting, an initiative designed to identify, train, and elevate talent from the earliest stages of education to the national and international spotlight.
The turning point came with the rollout of the new Lower Secondary School Curriculum, which formally recognized sports as a marks gaining, skills based activity, on equal footing with other hands-on disciplines like agriculture, Robotics, ICT, and performing arts. This innovative approach reinforces the idea that sports is not just play, but a serious academic and professional pathway.
By embedding sports into learner assessment, the Ministry has engineered an ecosystem where talent identification is not incidental, but intentional. Students now participate in organized competitions that contribute to their academic performance, encouraging broader engagement and spotlighting Uganda’s untapped athletic potential.
From Primary schools to Universities, and across TVETs and Health Training institutions, the Ministry’s integrated framework ensures that talent is discovered early and systematically developed. The Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association (UPSSA) and the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA) lay the foundation by imparting the basics, building discipline, and promoting competitive spirit.
Spearheaded by dedicated sports associations, this long-game approach ensures that athletes are discovered, groomed, and supported from primary school through university and beyond. The system works like a relay, with each institution picking up the baton where the last left off. At the grassroots level, athletes are equipped with fundamental skills, discipline, and sportsmanship. By the time they reach university, they are primed for advanced training, elite performance, and international competition.
One shining example of this developmental model is the Uganda Primary Schools Sports Association (UPSSA), which continues to be a cornerstone of Uganda’s sports culture. In 2024, during the International Ball Games held in Soroti, UPSSA athletes and officials planted 104 trees, a symbolic and literal investment in the future. Their action reflects how sports and environmental consciousness can work hand-in-hand to instill values beyond the pitch.
Equally pivotal is the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA), whose impact resonates far beyond the classroom. In a remarkable show of innovation, USSSA led the creation of a temporary running track at Dr. Obote College, Boroboro. What began as a practical solution for competition has evolved into a resource that serves both students and the wider community. This is sports infrastructure with a heart, and a vision.
Speaking about this initiative, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon Janet Museveni once noted that these associations are not just feeders for elite sport but they are also guardians of Uganda’s sporting heritage and the architects of her athletic future.
The Ministry has thrown its full weight behind this movement. For the 2025 sports calendar, an impressive budget of UGX 11 billion was passed to facilitate both local and international competitions. These funds cover everything from organizing competitions to athlete welfare and infrastructure development.
But the investment goes deeper than competition. Capacity building has become a strategic pillar of this grassroots revival. Coaches, sports medical personnel, administrators, and officials are regularly trained through association-led programs to ensure that Uganda’s sports ecosystem grows holistically. This commitment ensures that young athletes are not only physically prepared, but also supported by knowledgeable, ethical, and professional personnel.
The model’s success lies in the Ministry’s ecosystem of associations that specialize in different education tiers and sports disciplines. These include:
- UGANDA PRIMARY SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION (UPSSA)
- VOCATIONAL SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION UGANDA
- TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSTITUTION SPORTS ASSOCIATION OF UGANDA
- UGANDA SECONDARY SCHOOL SPORTS ASSOCIATION (USSSA)ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH TRAINING INSTITUTIONS SPORTS IN UGANDA
- INTER-COLLEGIATE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS OF UGANDA
- ASSOCIATION OF UGANDA UNIVERSITY SPORTS
- UGANDA PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
- UGANDA PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE ASSOCIATION
Together, they form a dynamic, coordinated network that champions grassroots talent and ensures continuity across all education levels.
As Uganda positions itself as a serious contender on the continental and global sports stages, this return to the grassroots is not just a strategy but a statement. A declaration that the future of Ugandan sport lies not only in stadiums and arenas, but in schoolyards, dusty fields, and the dreams of children playing their hearts out.
A loan beneficiary attending her graduation
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Education and Sports, continues to advance equitable access to higher education through the Students’ Loan Scheme, an intervention designed to support academically qualified but financially constrained students to pursue tertiary education and contribute to national development.
Since its inception, the Scheme has emerged as a critical financing mechanism for higher education, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), while also supporting selected humanities programmes and advancing affirmative action for vulnerable groups.
The secretariat registered that between 2014 and 2024, a total of 16,014 students have benefited from the Students’ Loan Scheme across the country. Of these, 10,866 are male and 5,148 are female, demonstrating steady progress in widening access to higher education opportunities.
A total of 134 students with special needs have been supported, including 94 in science programmes and 40 in arts-related disciplines, reflecting government’s commitment to inclusive education.
The Scheme has significantly strengthened Uganda’s human capital base, with beneficiaries distributed across key priority disciplines: Engineering – 4,497 students, Science Education – 2,834 students, Human Medicine – 2,312 students, Computer Science & ICT – 1,505 students, Agricultural Sciences.
Over 80% of beneficiaries accessed the facility within the last nine years, underscoring increasing demand and growing public trust in the programme.
Hon. John Chrysostom Muyingo, Minister of State for Higher Education, noted that the number of learners qualifying for higher education has more than doubled from approximately 60,000 in the early 2000s to about 150,000 annually today. However, only about 50,000 students transition into universities and other tertiary institutions, leaving a significant financing gap that the Scheme seeks to address. Government is therefore considering expanding funding to support up to 3,000 additional students annually, in line with the approved strategic framework.
Eligibility for the Students’ Loan Scheme is guided by principles of equity, merit, and financial need. An applicant must be a Ugandan citizen, have been admitted to an accredited institution of higher learning (public university, private chartered university, or accredited tertiary institution in Uganda), be pursuing an undergraduate diploma or degree programme and demonstrate financial need.
Selection further considers district quota representation, gender balance, and socio-economic vulnerability, ensuring equitable national coverage. The Students’ Loan Scheme has enabled thousands of deserving students to access higher education. It has strengthened Uganda’s capacity in science and innovation and remains a key instrument for national development.
Dr. Patrick Muinda, head of the ICT department at the Ministry of Education engages stakeholders on accelerating Uganda’s digital transformation through the Digital Agenda Strategy
The Ministry of Education and Sports has taken a significant step toward transforming learning through technology following the validation of findings from a nationwide digital readiness assessment conducted in secondary schools. The validation workshop, held on 11th March 2026 in Kampala, brought together education officials, school leaders, and development partners to review evidence that will guide implementation of the Ministry’s Digital Agenda Strategy (2025-2032).
The Digital Agenda Strategy is a seven-year roadmap designed to expand access to high-quality, technology-driven education across Uganda. To support evidence-based implementation, a nationwide assessment was conducted between November 2025 and early 2026 in 3,276 secondary schools. The exercise was implemented by UNICEF and the Association of Secondary Schools Head teachers of Uganda (ASSHU), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the MasterCard Foundation.
Participants at the validation workshop, including representatives from UNICEF, UNESCO, VVOB and ASSHU, reviewed the findings which indicate that Uganda’s education system is steadily transitioning toward digital learning. The assessment revealed that electricity — a critical requirement for digital transformation — has reached most secondary schools. However, internet connectivity remains uneven, with access in many schools limited to a single location, typically the computer laboratory. This highlights the need for expanded connectivity to support classroom-based digital learning.
Despite these gaps, the assessment established strong commitment among school leaders toward digital skills development. Nearly nine in ten respondents indicated that ICT competencies are essential for learners’ future employment and participation in the digital economy. Several schools have already begun piloting digital learning platforms, including the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC) e-learning system and private solutions such as Cyber School Technology. Teachers using these platforms reported more engaging lessons and improved alignment with the national curriculum.
The findings are expected to inform government planning before large-scale investments are made. The assessment examined digital skills, infrastructure, connectivity, and power availability to ensure that implementation of the Digital Agenda Strategy is grounded in evidence. The results will also feed into a broader national e-readiness assessment aimed at estimating the resources required to roll out digital learning across the country.
As part of the implementation considerations, the Ministry is exploring shared ICT hubs to enable collaboration among neighbouring schools and maximize resource utilization. In addition, officials are considering the development of national standards for ICT devices used in schools to ensure compatibility, sustainability, and ease of maintenance.
At the centre of these efforts is the Leaders in Teaching (LiT) Programme ICT Component, which supports school leaders and teachers to effectively integrate technology into teaching and learning. The programme aligns with the Ministry’s Digital Agenda Strategy and is expected to play a key role in building capacity for digital transformation across secondary schools.
The validation workshop marked an important milestone in shaping Uganda’s journey toward a digitally enabled education system, guided by data, partnerships, and a shared commitment to preparing learners for the future.
Ministry of Education and Sports Spokesperson, Dr. Denis Mugimba addressing the media at the Uganda Media Centre
The Government of the Republic of Uganda has committed significant funding to promote the country’s image as it prepares to co-host the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.While addressing the media at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, the Ministry of Education and Sports Spokesperson, Dr. Denis Mugimba, revealed that Government has prioritized financing key areas aligned to the successful hosting of the tournament in the next financial year.
Dr. Mugimba noted that this funding follows a consultative process involving various sectors, with final approval granted by Cabinet upon submission by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports.
He emphasised that hosting a tournament of AFCON’s scale requires coordinated effort across multiple sectors.
“Co-hosting a continental sports event of this magnitude is a complex operation that cannot be undertaken by a single sector or institution alone. It requires a whole-of-government and multi-stakeholder approach,” he stated.
As part of these efforts, Government has allocated UGX 37.85 billion specifically for marketing and promoting “Destination Uganda,” leveraging the AFCON 2027 platform to showcase the country to the world.
This campaign aims to position Uganda as a leading tourism destination in East Africa. Known as the Pearl of Africa, Uganda offers unique attractions including mountain gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, diverse wildlife experiences across ten national parks such as Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls, and adventure tourism along the River Nile.
The planned investments reflect Government’s commitment to not only deliver a successful tournament but also to strengthen Uganda’s global visibility, tourism potential, and long-term economic growth.
Uganda has intensified her preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 with an 11-day training camp in Casablanca, Morocco, as the team targets a strong return to the continent’s premier football competition. This marks the Cranes’ first AFCON appearance since 2019.
Seventeen players reported for the initial phase of the camp, with the remaining 13 joining the squad later, bringing the full provisional group to 30. Head coach Paul Put remains focused on maximizing the team’s readiness despite the staggered arrivals, emphasizing discipline, tactical cohesion, and physical conditioning.
Uganda has been placed in a formidable Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Nigeria one of the most competitive pools of the tournament. The Cranes will be looking to surpass their 2019 campaign, where they progressed to the Round of 16 before bowing out to Senegal.
Put’s provisional squad reflects a strategic blend of experience and rising talent. Legendary goalkeeper Denis Onyango makes a highly anticipated return to the national setup, leading a group of four goalkeepers. At the other end of the spectrum, teenage star James Bogere earns his first senior call-up after an impressive run at the U17 World Cup in Qatar, signaling Uganda’s commitment to nurturing future stars.
The squad also welcomes back Baba AlhassanandMelvyn Lorenzen, both of whom left a strong impression in Uganda’s international friendlies last November.
Defensively, Uganda will rely on a solid mix of overseas and local-based talent, including Toby Sibbick of Burton Albion, Jordan Obita, Abdu Azizi Kayondo, and SC Villa captain David Owori. The midfield will be anchored by the experienced Khalid Aucho, expected to provide leadership and stability as the Cranes navigate their tough group fixtures.
Uganda kicks off its AFCON campaign on 23 December against Tunisia before facing Nigeria and Tanzania. With renewed energy, a refreshed squad, and strong leadership on and off the pitch, the Cranes are determined to write a new chapter in their AFCON story.
As the countdown to Morocco 2025 intensifies, the nation will be watching closely and hoping for a historic run.
More than 99,000 trainees in Nursing, Midwifery, and clinical health programs are sitting for their final national examinations administered by the Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board (UHPAB) a major step toward strengthening Uganda’s health-training system
The state Minister of Higher Education, Hon. Dr. J.C. Muyingo toured several training institutions in Kampala to monitor the exercise, accompanied by Dr. Safinah Musene, Commissioner for Health Education, Helen Mukakarisa Kataratambi, UHPAB Executive Secretary and senior Ministry officials.
At Butabika School of Psychiatric Nursing, the Minister interacted with candidates undertaking practical exams, with Principal Harriet Kwagala confirming smooth implementation and strong preparedness. The team later inspected Kibuli Muslim Hospital Health Training School, where over 600 trainees are doing their final practicals. Hospital Director Dr. El-Gazah and Principal Halimah Nanziri Mayanja commended the Ministry for consistent support.
UHPAB’s Executive Secretary reported that 99,751 trainees30,184 from clinical programsand69,567 from Nursing and Midwiferyare being assessed across 215 centers in 233 institutions nationwide. She thanked the Government and the First Lady, Mama Janet Kataaha Museveni, for ensuring well-funded and well-coordinated examinations aligned with modern standards.
Dr. Musene noted that continued government investment has equipped institutions with essential training materials, directly strengthening Uganda’s future health workforce. Minister Muyingo reaffirmed the NRM government’s commitment to high-quality health-sciences training and applauded UHPAB for effectively managing one of the sector’s largest examination exercises.
The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) in Uganda begun construction of its new headquarters in Kyambogo, with the project commissioned in October 2023 by the Minister for Education and Sports, Janet Museveni. The construction is a joint effort funded by the government of Uganda and the Islamic Development Bank.
The new building aligns with the government’s initiative to curtail rental expenses. The headquarters complex will consist of two towers, one with eight floors and the other with ten floors. Additionally, the complex will include a 600-seat auditorium and two parking decks. Upon completion, the headquarters will be capable of accommodating more than 700 staff improving coordination among departments and enhancing efficiency.
