The Universal Primary Education (UPE) program in Uganda is making strides in providing free and mandatory primary education to all children in the country. Since its launch in 1997, the program has successfully increased access to primary education, particularly for girls and children in rural areas.

One of the UPE program's key strengths is its focus on improving education access for disadvantaged groups. Through free education and the elimination of school fees, the program has enabled many children who couldn't afford an education otherwise to attend primary school. This has had a particularly positive impact on girls, who may be discouraged from attending school due to financial barriers or cultural norms.

The UPE program has also prioritized improving the quality of primary education. It has invested in teacher training and the construction of new schools and classrooms, resulting in a significant increase in the number of trained teachers and the availability of adequate learning facilities. This has improved the learning environment for children and contributed to overall improved educational outcomes.

However, despite these strengths, the UPE program has faced challenges that have limited its effectiveness. A major challenge is the high dropout rate, particularly among girls. Many children, particularly those from poor or rural families, do not complete primary school due to a variety of factors such as lack of access to transportation, early marriage, and household responsibilities. This limits the program's ability to achieve its goal of providing universal primary education.

Additionally, the UPE program has faced funding challenges that have limited its ability to expand and improve education services. It is largely dependent on government funding, which has been subject to fluctuations and budget cuts. This has made it difficult for the program to maintain its current level of services, let alone expand to reach more children.

In summary, the UPE program in Uganda has made significant progress in increasing access to primary education, particularly for girls and children in rural areas. However, challenges such as high dropout rates and limited funding have limited its effectiveness and hindered its ability to achieve its goal of providing universal primary education. If you are a product of UPE, we would love to hear from you! If you don't mind sharing, please write to us and tell us about your experience.