Six school directors and head teachers have been arrested in Kagadi District following a major operation against private schools operating without valid licenses, as authorities move to enforce education standards and protect learners.
The arrests were carried out by a joint team comprising district education officials, local leaders, and security personnel on the first day of the second school term.
The operation targeted institutions that had allegedly ignored repeated directives to obtain operational licenses and comply with requirements set by the Ministry of Education and Sports.
The affected schools include Nyaruziba SDA Nursery and Primary School, Nankulabye Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, Kitonzi Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, Elite Education Centre, City Light Nursery and Primary School, and Kurukuru Parents Nursery and Primary School.
According to district authorities, the schools had been inspected on several occasions and issued warnings to regularize their operations. However, officials say the proprietors continued running the institutions without securing the necessary approvals, prompting the latest enforcement action.
Kagadi District leaders argue that the continued operation of unlicensed schools poses serious risks to learners and undermines efforts to improve the quality of education.
Education inspectors have reportedly identified a number of shortcomings in some of the affected institutions, including inadequate classroom facilities, poor sanitation, insufficient learning materials, and failure to meet staffing requirements.
Authorities maintain that licensing is a critical process designed to ensure schools meet minimum standards related to infrastructure, health and safety, teacher qualifications, and overall learning conditions. Schools that fail to meet these requirements are considered unfit to provide educational services.
The crackdown comes amid growing concern over the large number of private schools operating illegally in the district. Education officials estimate that more than 200 schools in Kagadi have yet to obtain the licenses required by law, despite years of sensitization campaigns and inspection exercises aimed at helping proprietors comply with government regulations.
Officials say many school owners have been reluctant to fulfill licensing requirements, while others continue operating despite lacking approval from the Ministry of Education and Sports. Authorities have warned that such practices compromise the integrity of the education system and place pupils at risk.
District officials have defended the arrests, saying the move was necessary after several warnings went unheeded. They emphasized that the operation is not intended to frustrate education providers but to ensure that all schools offer learners a safe and conducive learning environment.
Parents have meanwhile been urged to verify the licensing status of schools before enrolling their children. Authorities noted that learners studying in unlicensed institutions often face uncertainty, particularly when schools are closed or subjected to enforcement measures during the academic term.
The district has vowed to continue conducting inspections and taking action against schools that fail to comply with the law. Officials warned that additional closures and arrests could follow as authorities intensify efforts to eliminate illegal schools and improve education standards across the district.
The latest operation reflects a broader government push to strengthen oversight of private educational institutions and ensure that every child has access to quality education in schools that meet nationally approved standards. As enforcement continues, education authorities are urging school propriet
