By Eye Media | Buikwe District | July 16, 2026

The Minister of State for Health in charge of General Duties, Hajjati Anifa Bangirana, has this Thursday July 16, 2026 directed all Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to immediately inspect schools and crack down on institutions operating without school nurses.

The minister also ordered schools to begin recording the health status of every pupil and student upon reporting to school, saying the move is necessary to strengthen disease surveillance and protect learners from preventable illnesses.

The directives were issued on Thursday during the Self-Care Commemoration Day celebrations at Mehta Grounds in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe District.

“It’s mandatory. Every school must have a nurse and every learner’s health status should be documented upon arrival at school,” Bangirana said.

She said the government is increasingly concerned by the rising burden of malaria among children and young people, particularly school-going learners, and warned that schools can no longer treat health issues as an afterthought.

The minister tasked RDCs to immediately inspect both government and private schools and ensure compliance with the new directive.

Schools Under Scrutiny

The order shines a spotlight on the poor state of healthcare services in many schools across Uganda.

A large number of schools, especially in rural areas, do not have trained nurses, sick bays or basic medical supplies. In some institutions, learners who fall ill are simply sent home or left in dormitories without professional medical attention.

Education and health experts have repeatedly expressed concern that many schools focus heavily on academics while paying little attention to the health and wellbeing of learners.

Some schools also lack proper records of students’ medical conditions, making it difficult to quickly respond to emergencies or identify learners suffering from chronic illnesses.

The situation has in some cases led to delayed treatment, worsening illnesses and avoidable deaths.

Malaria Remains Uganda’s Biggest Health Threat

Malaria continues to be one of Uganda’s leading causes of illness and death, particularly among children.

According to health officials, the disease accounts for a significant proportion of outpatient visits and hospital admissions in the country, with children and young people among the most affected.

The Ministry of Health has in recent years intensified interventions such as the distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying and community sensitisation campaigns.

However, the country continues to register high malaria cases, with health experts warning that schools have a critical role to play in prevention, early detection and timely treatment.

Officials say strengthening school health systems through the deployment of nurses and proper health monitoring mechanisms could significantly reduce absenteeism, improve learner wellbeing and save lives.

The latest directive by Minister Bangirana is expected to trigger nationwide inspections as the government moves to tighten health standards in schools and shield learners from the devastating effects of malaria and other diseases.