Concerns have been raised over the increasing number of primary school learners from Kenya and other neighboring countries within the East African region being enrolled in schools located in Uganda.
Uganda’s Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control raised the concerns while cautioning local schools against enrolling foreign students, particularly in border districts, who lack student passes and proper registration.
The recent influx of foreign learners settling in Uganda for education has been reported to be rampant at border crossings like Malaba, Busia, Rwakhakha, and the West Nile region, where the students frequently cross into the country to attend school but fail to register as foreign learners.
According to the Directorate, these learners risk being barred from sitting national examinations due to non-compliance with immigration regulations.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson Simon Mundeyi emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying that when such students attempt to register for national exams, they face challenges because they lack Learner Identification Numbers.
“When students attempt to register for national exams, they face challenges because they lack Learner Identification Numbers, which are only issued to Ugandan nationals or officially registered foreign students. This oversight not only jeopardizes students’ academic futures but also places schools at risk of legal consequences,” he said.
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Foreign students in Uganda
Uganda hosts approximately 50,000 foreign students, yet only 14,000 are officially registered.
The discrepancy is most pronounced along borders with Kenya, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where many students commute daily to Ugandan schools without documentation.
Families in border areas often cross in and out for education and other activities.
Schools must however ensure these students are registered to avoid legal challenges and ensure compliance with national policies.
Foreign learners from East African Community (EAC) member states are eligible for free student passes, while students from non-EAC countries must pay $100 (around Uganda shillings 365,000).
One of the schools with a significant number of foreign learners is the Tororo Progressive Academy.
Headteacher Jovan Awira Obel while speaking to the press highlighted ongoing challenges noting that out of 921 students in the school, 100 are Kenyan nationals, who face consistent difficulties while being registered for identification numbers.
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Obel says equating their academic qualifications is also expensive and many parents struggle to meet this requirement.
‘’This is not unique to our school; many others face similar hurdles,” the headteacher noted
Immigration authorities have reiterated the importance of compliance to avoid disruption of students’ education and ensure lawful practices in cross-border education.
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Schools enrolling unregistered learners have been advised to regularize their status promptly.
UN Ranking
Earlier this year, Uganda was ranked among the top three African destinations for immigrants in the Continent, according to the World Migration Report 2024 published by the United Nations.
The study tracked migration trends that occurred globally in the past year.
Uganda edged out Kenya in the report after the UN ranked it third, while Kenya featured in seventh position.
On the other hand, South Africa which turned out to have a slightly high share of male immigrants as compared to that of females was ranked first.
Cote d’Ivoire, Sudan, Nigeria and Ethiopia were also identified as favorite destinations by immigrants.
“In Africa, the proportion of female and male migrants in the top destination countries is similar, with only slight differences between countries,” the report read in part.
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