Date of publication:

08/21/2025

Uganda

Do domestic laws and policies provide access to primary education for forcibly displaced and stateless persons?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Analysis

The domestic laws and policies in Uganda provide for compulsory access to primary education for all including for refugees. The Constitution, in the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy Section, states the State shall promote free and compulsory education. Even if the Constitution has refrained from explicitly making primary education free and compulsory, the Education (Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act (2008, "Education Act") under Section 10 (3) (a), states that primary education is universal and compulsory for pupils aged 6 years and above for a duration of seven years. Furthermore, as per Section 32(1) of the Refugees Act, refugee children are entitled to the same treatment as nationals regarding elementary education. Therefore, compulsory access to primary education is applicable to all children in Uganda regardless of their nationality and status including to refugee children.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    The Refugees Act (2006)

    Legal provision

    Section 32(1) - Rights of Refugee Children (Elementary Education)

    (1) Refugee children shall be accorded the same treatment as nationals with respect to elementary education.

    Education (Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act (2008)

    Legal provision

    Section 10(3)(a) - Levels of Education (Primary education universal, compulsory)

    (3) The following shall apply to primary education— (a) primary education shall be universal and compulsory for pupils aged 6 (six) years and above which shall last seven years;