BUSOGA KINGDOM PROMOTION OF EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION

FACT SHEET

Busoga Kingdom is a cultural institution recognized in Uganda (see article 246- 1995 constitution)

His Royal Highness Isebantu Kyabazinga the head of Busoga governs thru a government headed by the Prime Minister (Katukiro) with several ministers under him. The Kyabazinga’ secretariat headed by the permanent secretary is responsible for the implementation of the Lukiiko & cabinet’s decision

Busoga kingdom is strategically placed to create a supportive environment for planning and implementation of cultural, social and economic development programs.

With a coverage of five districts of Jinja,Iganga,Kamuli,Bugiri and Mayuge, with an area of 8862 square kilometers and a population of 2.7 million according to 2002 Uganda population census. the kingdom has centered on being an axle to the implementation of development programmes such as the promotion of quality education for the people by establishing A Bursary /Scholarship Scheme not with standing advocacy campaigns on the promotion of the girl child education.

In our development work we endvour to contribute to the attainment of Uganda’s millennium development goals. According to the Uganda House Hold Survey 2002/2003 Uganda population is below poverty line .Uganda ‘s income per capita is as low as $300 U.S dollar, saving from GDP is at 10% which is below the average for sub-Saharan Africa which his estimated to be 30%

With iliteracy level as high as at 48% males and 52% females cannot read or write at all

Education data survey 2001 shows that in Eastern Region including Busoga Kingdom, shows that in Uganda factors in children never having attended school include monetary costs at 24.2% for male and 22.5% for female

School dropout in primary school for monetary costs stands at 57.9% for male and 51.35 for female, the factor for labour needed at household level stands at 14.4 % for male and 22.%5 for female

The above statistics suggests a lot about gender inequality and powerless of women. For various reasons male stay longer in school than women as observed in the school drop out rates

Females mostly stay out of school to contribute to:-

• Household labour.
• Traditionally, Basoga parents show preference in investing in male other than female as a source of additional clan wealth and status.

Proposed response

The education sector of the kingdom is pursuing a mission of promoting an enabling environment that will enhance equal education opportunities to all the people of Busoga.

Education is viewed by the kingdom as a right but not a privilege laying emphasis on better education particularly for mothers and girls as a means of empowerment for healthier children and better productivity

Human capital development is seen by the kingdom as a means of increasing one’s choices, broadening platforms about ones general health and reproductive health, employment, marriage and living standards.

Education is therefore an important ingredient of social transformation in development particularly as it increases ones’chances of accessing gainful employment

The kingdom’s proposed implementation strategies that will increase educational Opportunities for the disadvantaged school going age population include:

• Expanding its current bursary scheme to sponsor at least 500 students per year for secondary education
• Promote vocational skills training for young people who have dropped out of school.
• support special needs education for children with special needs due to either physical and learning disabilities