By Daniel Mugula
23 Sep 2026
Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has called for a major rethink of the country’s education and health systems, saying Uganda must invest in its people if it is to achieve sustainable development.
Speaking at the UPC headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala, party president Jimmy Akena said education should go beyond preparing learners for examinations and instead equip young Ugandans with practical knowledge and skills to contribute to the country’s development.
The remarks came as thousands of learners prepare for the 2026 Primary Leaving Examination (PLE), Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE).
“An examination should ask a much bigger question. We should be asking ourselves, what are we preparing the Ugandan child for?” Akena said.
UPC said the quality of public services depends heavily on the welfare and working conditions of teachers and health workers.
The party raised concerns about understaffing in health facilities and said government must ensure that health workers have adequate support to provide quality services.
It also called for better working and living conditions for teachers, including accommodation, particularly in areas where schools struggle to attract and retain staff.
UPC said school inspections should therefore consider not only academic performance and classroom facilities but also the conditions under which teachers live and work.
UPC also expressed concern over the growing number of learners attending private schools from primary level to university.
The party questioned the capacity of the public education system to provide quality and accessible education to all Ugandans.
It said a strong public education system is essential for developing the skills needed to build Uganda’s economy and enable citizens to realise their potential.
The party also identified child malnutrition as a major national concern, saying the problem extends beyond areas traditionally associated with food insecurity.
UPC cited concerns in regions including Karamoja, Kigezi and Tororo, where it said poverty, food insecurity and inadequate diets contribute to malnutrition.
The party called for greater investment in child nutrition, arguing that poor nutrition during childhood can affect the development of Uganda’s future workforce.
Akena also used the occasion to call for unity within UPC ahead of the party’s delegates conference.
He said he had previously attempted to bring together senior party members, including Peter Walubiri and Joseph Ochero, to forge a united front before the 2026 elections.
Akena said the effort did not succeed and suggested that his exclusion from the presidential ballot was deliberate.
He maintained that UPC remains the third-largest party in Parliament and said the party should focus on its policies and record rather than internal disagreements.
“This is not a one-man job. It’s a party job, and we have to deliver for Uganda,” Akena said.
The party said it will continue developing policies in education, health, agriculture and livelihoods, with a focus on practical solutions to the challenges facing Ugandans.
UPC also called for political leaders, including presidential candidates, to engage in substantive debates on national policies and service delivery rather than political exchanges that do not address citizens’ concerns.
Akena said Uganda’s future depends on investing in its people and creating conditions that allow every citizen to reach their full potential.
UPC also wished candidates sitting the 2026 national examinations success, urging the country to view education as an investment in Uganda’s future.
