KAMPALA — Schools and institutions of higher learning in Uganda will remain closed as the country grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases,
Mr. Alex Kakooza, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports said on Monday.
Mr. Kakooza tweeted that only candidate classes and finalists in institutions of higher learning are open.
He also said that the rest will wait until the government reaches a decision on when to re-open.
“Contrary to media reports, government has not yet agreed upon the re-opening of schools and higher institutions of learning for non-candidate classes,” Kakooza said.
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Education Patrick Muinda said that the the decision to open schools for other learners will be communicated by the President.
Professor Mary J. N. Okwakol, the Executive Director, National Council for Higher Education said her council has received several requests from higher institutions of learning, requesting to open for all students.
She, however, says it all depends on resolutions that will come from the Ministry of Health, national COVID task force and the Ministry of Education and sports, in regards to opening up of Higher Institutions of learning in Uganda.
“The purpose of this communication is, therefore, to urge all Higher Education Institutions not to reopen until a decision of Government on this matter is communicated,” Prof. Okwakol wrote.
In October last year, Uganda re-opened candidate classes, seven months after the government closed all schools, colleges and universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of Monday, the country had a cumulative total of 39,185 COVID-19 cases, 13,861 recoveries and 318 deaths.
Uganda reported its first COVID-19 case on March 21, 2020.
