The executive director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, has challenged parents struggling to pay school fees to take advantage of the free government schools available across the city.Speaking during the reopening of the renovated Bukoto Muslim Primary School in Nakawa Division on Thursday, Buzeki noted that despite the availability of free education, many government schools in Kampala are still under-enrolled, even as numerous parents continue to face financial difficulties.She challenged city schools to make enrollment growth a key performance indicator (KPI) for administrators and teachers, while ensuring that every child in Kampala has access to quality education.Buzeki also urged parents to reconsider their preference for expensive private schools and instead take advantage of the improved facilities and qualified teachers available in government institutions.KCCA executive director Sharifah Bukezi and Ali Bukeni aka Nubian Li commission the renovated schoolAccording to KCCA statistics, enrollment in Kampala’s government primary schools has steadily risen from 68,801 learners in the 2023/2024 financial year to 74,056 learners in 2024/2025 and 76,907 learners in the current financial year.“Our goal is not just to have big numbers, but to ensure that government investments in education are fully utilized and that every child has access to quality learning,” she said.“There is no reason why any school-going child in the Bukoto community should stay at home because of school fees. The facilities have improved, the teachers are available, and education is free,” Buzeki said.The renovation of Bukoto Muslim Primary School was funded by Universal Multi-Purpose Enterprise Limited. Buzeki praised the partnership between the private sector and government, describing the project as a transformative intervention that has restored dignity to the learning environment.“A year ago, when we visited this school, the condition of the infrastructure was painful to witness. Today, we celebrate a remarkable transformation,” she said.Founded in 1935, Bukoto Muslim Primary School is one of Kampala’s oldest government schools. It also hosts a special unit for learners with visual impairments, established in 1997, enabling blind and sighted learners to study together.Buzeki described the school as “a beacon of inclusion,” saying it exemplifies the values of empathy, support and social responsibility that are essential for national development.She revealed that the school is among more than 10 public schools in Kampala that are in a poor state and require urgent intervention.Other schools facing similar challenges include Kyanja Muslim Primary School, Kampala Primary School, Bukasa Primary School, Natete Muslim Primary School, Muslim Girls Primary School, Chwa II Primary School and Ntinda Primary School.Buzeki called upon companies, organizations and community groups to partner with government by adopting public schools and supporting infrastructure development, career guidance programmes and other educational initiatives.She reaffirmed KCCA’s commitment to supporting Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools through capitation grants, staff development, sanitation improvements and infrastructure projects.However, she noted that land ownership disputes remain a challenge in some schools where foundation bodies have not transferred land titles to KCCA, limiting government investment.The head teacher of Bukoto Muslim Primary School, Aidah Nabwami, welcomed the renovation, saying it would help restore confidence among parents who had withdrawn their children because of the school’s deteriorating condition.She attributed the school’s low enrollment largely to poor infrastructure and inadequate resources. The school currently has only 75 learners, but Nabwami expressed optimism that enrollment would increase following the facelift.She appealed to KCCA to support additional infrastructure projects, including the construction of teachers’ houses, roofing repairs and the levelling of the school compound to improve mobility for learners with visual impairments.Nabwami also highlighted the challenge of stray animals accessing the school premises and called for the construction of a perimeter wall.Nakawa Division mayor Ali Bukeni aka Nubian Li described the renovation as more than an infrastructure upgrade, saying it represents an investment in the future of children and the wider community.Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki with Nakawa Division mayor Ali Bukeni aka Nubian Li“Today is not just about witnessing the completion of a renovation project. It is about celebrating a massive step forward for the children and families of this community,” Bukeni said.He emphasized that quality education requires a safe, clean and inspiring learning environment, noting that well-maintained schools send a powerful message to learners that they are valued and that their future matters.The post KCCA boss Buzeki urges struggling parents to embrace free govt schools appeared first on The Observer.