The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most. Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has expressed disappointment with the government for closing down some Primary Teachers` Colleges (PTCs) across the country, including some founded by the Church of Uganda.

The Archbishop appealed to the government to reconsider the decision, which he says has not been fair.

The tough-talking head of the Church of Uganda made the remarks during a breakfast meeting with Members of Parliament at his residence in Namirembe, Kampala.

During this engagement with Members of Parliament, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, the Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu expressed disappointment over the government's decision to shut down some Primary Teachers Colleges (PTCs).

Busiro East legislator Hon. Medard Lubega Sseggona wondered why the government would close what they do not own in the first place.

The Archbishop who also spoke tough on what he said was the mismanagement of Church founded schools by the government, called for dialogue between the church and the State to forge consensus on better ways of managing church-owned but government-aided schools.

According to Hon. Sseggona, such actions by the government have contributed to the appalling situation where many Anglican priests retire into misery because the government took away the land the church would have used for income-generating activities.

The Archbishop also appealed to the government to clear its debts to the church, stressing that failure by the government to give the church what rightfully belongs to it has retarded development.

The COU Family TV Managing Director, Amos Mwesigye, encouraged the Parliamentary Commission to partner with the TV station for their projects

The Archbishop called this meeting with the Anglican Members of Parliament to address key issues between the Government and the Church of Uganda.

On 03rd April 2023, the government began the process to phase out at least 23 Primary Teachers` Colleges (PTCs) and indefinitely close them. The Government is officially phasing out Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications in favor of a bachelor’s degree in Education.

According to the government, the National Teacher Policy conceived in 2019 would streamline, professionalize, and improve the quality of teacher education. The policy requires that all teachers from pre-primary should have a minimum qualification of a bachelor’s degree.

Under the policy, the Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education-UNITE will take on the role of handling teacher education, which is currently under Kyambogo University. Previously, this was done by the Institute of Teacher Education, Kyambogo.

John Jimmy Musimbi