At least 35% of Kalangala pupils have not yet returned for the second term, which began on May 26, 2025. Kalangala pupils are staying home due to poverty, fathers abandoning their families, and the unstable fishing industry that many families depend on. As the second week of the term progresses, authorities are hopeful that Kalangala pupils will gradually return to school as families recover financially.
Many families face significant financial struggles, making it hard for children to return to school. Ms. Josephine Namutebi Lugambwa, the District Inspector of Schools, shared that only 65% of pupils have reported to school so far. With the second term already into its second week, many children are still seen loitering at landing sites. Families are struggling to meet basic needs, which forces education to take a backseat.
In places like Lulamba Primary School on Lulamba Island, only 200 out of 310 enrolled pupils have returned. Mr. Kennedy Kalikoka, the deputy head teacher, explained that some parents deliberately delay sending their children back to school. They believe that the first two weeks are less productive. Instead, children stay home to do chores like fetching firewood and arranging fishing nets.
Single mothers face additional difficulties. Ms. Zam Kawuma, a mother of seven from Kachanga Landing Site, stated that she could only afford to send two of her children to school. Her daily earnings from running a restaurant have dropped drastically, from Shs50,000 to just Shs10,000. She cannot afford to pay rent, food, and school fees all at once.
Other women, like Ms. Robinah Nambi from Misonzi Landing Site, face worsening financial pressures. Land disputes have left them unable to afford school fees. Despite applying for financial support through the GROW Fund, their applications were rejected. Local banks denied their requests due to the lack of collateral, such as land agreements.
Many mothers borrow money to pay school fees. They struggle to repay informal loans. Ms. Prossy Nakitende, a women’s leader in Bufumira Sub-county, explained how the lack of stable income leads to loan defaults. This makes it difficult to borrow money in the future. “Women borrow money to pay school fees, but with no stable income, they default and can’t borrow again,” she said.
The fishing industry, which many families depend on, has also suffered. Mr. Moses Kazibwe, the LC1 chairperson of Kachanga Landing Site, said that fishing yields have drastically decreased. Fishermen now catch fewer fish, and women’s fish-smoking businesses, once a source of extra income, have collapsed.
Kalangala District also struggles with geographical challenges. Only 12 out of 64 inhabited islands have schools. Many families must spend extra money on transport and food just to send their children to school. Even though 23 government-aided primary schools in Kalangala do not charge tuition, parents still find it difficult to afford basic school supplies like books and pens. A recent district report showed that only 30-34% of children who start Primary One finish Primary Seven, with a higher dropout rate for girls. Ms. Cathy Kabashoke, head teacher of Bishop Dunstan Memorial Secondary School, noted that fewer girls make it to Senior Six. Poverty, early pregnancy, and lack of support contribute to their dropout.
To address this issue, Kalangala Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Fred Badda, warned parents who keep children at home without valid reasons. He stated that this behavior constitutes child neglect, and the authorities will take action. Meanwhile, Dr. Jane Egau Okou, the acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, urged schools to start teaching promptly. She stressed the importance of avoiding delays so students do not lose valuable learning time.
While economic pressures continue to affect school attendance, poverty, unstable livelihoods, and abandoned families remain at the heart of the issue. Addressing these challenges will require improving infrastructure, providing financial support, and addressing the declining fish yields. Ensuring that children in Kalangala can continue their education is essential for breaking the cycle of poverty.
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