Authorities in Kagadi District have arrested six school directors in an ongoing crackdown on private schools operating without valid licenses, as the district steps up enforcement of education regulations.
The joint operation, carried out by district education officials together with security personnel, targeted institutions that had reportedly continued operating despite repeated directives to comply with licensing requirements issued 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 officials, the schools had been inspected earlier and warned to regularize their operations but failed to secure the required approvals. Authorities said the arrests were made after it was confirmed that the institutions were still admitting learners while operating illegally.
Education authorities in Kagadi said the move is part of a broader effort to sanitize the private education sector and ensure compliance with national standards. They noted that unlicensed schools continue to pose challenges to education quality and safety in the district.
Inspectors have previously identified concerns in some institutions, including inadequate infrastructure, poor sanitation facilities, lack of proper documentation, and insufficient qualified teaching staff. Officials say such conditions are more prevalent in schools operating outside regulatory oversight.
The district leadership emphasized that licensing is a legal requirement designed to ensure that schools meet minimum standards for safety, staffing, and learning conditions before being allowed to operate. They warned that continued non-compliance will result in stronger enforcement actions.
Authorities estimate that more than 200 private schools in Kagadi are currently operating without valid authorization, despite ongoing inspections and sensitization efforts aimed at improving compliance.
Parents have been advised to verify the legal status of schools before enrolling their children, with officials cautioning that learners in unlicensed institutions risk disruption to their studies if enforcement actions lead to sudden closures.
The district has pledged to continue inspections across all sub-counties until all schools are fully licensed and compliant with education regulations, saying the campaign is aimed at improving standards and protecting learners.
