By Christine
Schools across Fort Portal City have reopened for the third term of the 2026 academic year, but a number of schools are reporting a low turnout of learners on the first day.
The third term officially began today, Monday, September 14th, and is scheduled to run until December 4th, according to the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Different schools visited
At Bukwali Primary School, Head Teacher Sarah Mbabazi says only 159 out of the 575 pupils who were enrolled last term had reported by the first day.
Mbabazi says teachers are already available and lessons have started according to the school timetable.
At Bukwali Primary School, Head Teacher Sarah Mbabazi says only 159 out of the 575 pupils who were enrolled last term had reported by the first day.
Mbabazi says teachers are already available and lessons have started according to the school timetable.
Mbabazi called upon Fort Portal City authorities to strengthen enforcement against children found loitering in markets and town during school hours.
At Green Circle Primary School, Head Teacher Simpson Ayesiga says about 50 percent of the learners had reported by Monday. He attributed the delayed return partly to the recent loss and burial of Tooro’s King Oyo, which affected many families.
At Buhinga Primary School, Head Teacher Constance Asiimwe says about half of the school’s learners had reported on the first day, but expects full attendance by the end of the week.
She has urged parents to send their children to school early, because the third term is relatively short, to give teachers enough time to complete the syllabus and improve academic performance.
Meanwhile, Mpanga Senior Secondary School Head Teacher Charles Drake Rubongoya also reported a low turnout but says lessons have commenced.
He has appealed to parents to send their children to school and provide the requirements agreed upon with the PTA to support the smooth running of the school.
He has appealed to parents to send their children to school and provide the requirements agreed upon with the PTA to support the smooth running of the school.
Fort Portal City Inspector of Schools Charles Nyakahuma Kamwenge said the education department will meet head teachers to discuss ways of improving the implementation of the new curriculum and maintaining Fort Portal City’s position among the best-performing areas in education.