Uganda’s Education Overhaul Stalled by Donor Funding Freeze Over Anti-Homosexuality Act

Uganda’s bold initiative to overhaul its education system has encountered significant setbacks due to the suspension of crucial international donor funding following the enactment of the Anti-Homosexuality Act.

Since its passage in May 2023, the law has faced global condemnation, particularly from human rights organizations. Uganda’s Ministry of Education had embarked on a flagship project worth Shs 840 billion aimed at modernizing the education sector. This comprehensive plan included infrastructure upgrades, teacher training, curriculum development, and efforts to improve the student-teacher ratio.

The initiative was heavily reliant on funding from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), with the World Bank acting as the grant agent. Expected grants included $162.5 million for system transformation, $3.8 million for capacity building, and $50 million in multiplier grants. These funds were earmarked for improving literacy, numeracy, and access to secondary education across the country.

However, according to GPE’s September 2024 report, the approval process has been stalled due to concerns related to the Anti-Homosexuality Act. The report states, “System Transformation Grant… Not approved – process paused,” indicating that Uganda’s application had reached the final stage before the funding freeze. The $50 million multiplier grant has also been suspended, and the funding for this component has since been exhausted.

Uganda began seeking this grant in 2021, completing critical steps such as an enabling factors analysis and technical assessments by early 2022. The GPE board approved the strategic framework in September 2022, and the Ministry of Education had hoped the project would be a turning point for the country’s education system, especially after the disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Despite the setback, the Ministry of Education remains hopeful and is continuing discussions with stakeholders like UNICEF, which coordinates GPE in Uganda. Education Minister Janet Kataha Museveni recently discussed the issue with outgoing UNICEF representative Dr. Munir Safieldin.

Over the past decade, foreign grants have played a crucial role in Uganda’s educational reforms. GPE alone has provided over $116 million to support Uganda’s education sector since 2011. This includes a landmark $100 million grant in 2014 and additional funding for COVID-19 recovery in 2020.

However, education advocates like Patrick Kaboyo, head of the Education Advocacy Network, stress the importance of increasing domestic funding. Kaboyo notes that public investment in education has steadily declined, with the government’s share of education spending dropping from 13.72% in 2020 to 11.61% in 2021. Although the education sector’s 2024/2025 budget has grown to Shs 5.85 trillion, experts argue that at least 20% of the national budget should be allocated to education to meet the sector’s needs.