By KT Reporter
Uganda Christian University (UCU) has moved all teaching and learning activities online after the Ministry of Education and Sports issued a last-minute directive postponing the nationwide reopening of schools and higher education institutions.
In a notice circulated to staff and students, the university announced that from Monday, January 19, to Wednesday, January 21, 2026, all classes will be conducted remotely.
“Both staff and students are therefore requested to prepare to teach and learn from home during this period and ensure that they have the necessary arrangements in place to participate effectively in online learning,” the notice reads.
UCU described the move as a temporary arrangement, noting that further guidance will be issued after consultations with the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
The decision follows the government’s announcement pushing back the official reopening of the first term of the 2026 academic year to Tuesday, February 10, eight days later than the previously communicated February 2 start date outlined in the ministry’s January 6 academic calendar.
In a circular signed by Permanent Secretary Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda, the ministry cited “the ongoing General Elections and the need to ensure the safety of all learners” as the reason for the postponement. Uganda held the Presidential and Parliamentary elections on January 15, 2026, with incumbent President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni securing another term amid tight security and isolated incidents of tension in some parts of the country.
However, the electoral cycle continues with a series of additional polls to fill district and local government leadership positions, as well as seats reserved for special interest groups. These include elections for district chairpersons and councillors, alongside representatives of youth, workers, older persons, persons with disabilities, and other constitutionally recognised groups.
The continuation of these elections means that parts of the country will remain in an active political and security-sensitive phase, underscoring the need for caution and sustained public order measures even after the headline national contests have ended. The authorities also appear intent on allowing time for any potential post-election unrest to subside before millions of learners return to physical classrooms.
The postponement applies across the entire education system, covering pre-primary, primary, secondary, tertiary institutions, universities, and international schools. Traditionally, many schools, particularly private institutions, open a week or more early to maximise teaching time or conduct orientation.
However, the latest directive strictly prohibits reopening before February 10, a move aimed at standardising the academic calendar while prioritising safety during a politically sensitive period.
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