The Ministry of Education has announced a major shift in how schools are registered and licensed across Uganda, transitioning entirely to the digital platform, the Education Management Information System (EMIS), by 2025. This move, aimed at eliminating bureaucratic delays and streamlining operations, was revealed during a recent meeting between ministry officials and private school headteachers in Kampala.
Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education, emphasized that this initiative, which is already in the testing phase, will be fully implemented next year. He explained that the digital shift will simplify processes that have long been plagued by inefficiency. “This new system will eliminate the need for schools to physically move documents from office to office. Schools will now be able to upload everything they need online, and we are confident this will reduce delays,” Dr. Muyingo said during the meeting held at Nakasero Primary School.
The minister’s remarks come at a time when many private schools have been hesitant to fully adopt the EMIS system, citing concerns about data sharing with other government bodies, particularly the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). However, Dr. Muyingo reassured school owners that the system’s main goal is efficiency in school registration and data management.
New Features of EMIS
One of the key improvements introduced is a module that allows schools to either register for the first time or renew their licenses digitally. Jenkins Twinomugisha, an EMIS consultant, elaborated on the process, noting that school owners will now be able to submit a letter of intent, followed by the upload of key documents such as land ownership papers, approved physical plans, classroom details, and teacher qualifications.
“This process, which used to take months due to manual approvals, can now be completed in as little as two days if all the documents are in order,” said Twinomugisha. He added that once the documents are reviewed, the system generates a digital certificate, which schools can print themselves. This eliminates the need for in-person interactions with ministry officials, saving time and reducing the potential for human error.
Overcoming Private School Resistance
Despite the ease that the new system promises, uptake among private schools has been slow. According to the Ministry’s data, of the 61,572 private schools in Uganda, only around 50 percent have registered on EMIS. Furthermore, among those that have registered, only a fraction has submitted comprehensive data. For instance, out of the 31,464 schools enrolled, data for only 2.3 million learners has been uploaded, far below the total number of students.
Concerns about the possible use of the system for tax monitoring by the URA have contributed to the hesitance. Livingston Mugoya, a private school headteacher, admitted that in some cases, school owners are deliberately underreporting the number of students, fearing tax repercussions.
“We’ve seen instances where a school with 300 students registers only a handful to avoid scrutiny,” Mugoya shared, acknowledging the skepticism among private school owners.
Ministry’s Push for Compliance
Vincent Ssozi, Assistant Commissioner for Statistics, Monitoring, and Evaluation, who is also the EMIS focal person, stressed that the ministry is prepared to support schools through this transition. “We plan to conduct more training sessions for schools to ensure they can use the system effectively. Our EMIS support staff in local governments will also be trained to provide on-the-ground assistance where necessary,” Ssozi noted.
To encourage broader compliance, the ministry is considering stronger measures to ensure all schools register on EMIS. Dr. Muyingo stated that while the ministry’s priority is to work collaboratively with schools, institutions that fail to comply may face sanctions.
As the ministry moves toward a fully digital registration and licensing system, the focus is on making the process more transparent and accessible to all education stakeholders, especially private schools that have so far been reluctant to embrace the change.
“This is the future of school management,” Dr. Muyingo said in closing. “We are creating a more efficient, less bureaucratic system, and it’s important that every school in Uganda is part of this transformation.”
The full rollout of the system is expected to begin early next year, with the goal of having all schools registered and compliant by the end of 2025.
