A standoff has emerged at the Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School in Jinja City after 40 students were barred from taking their final exams due to a controversial Shs80,000 school bus fee.
The students, among a group of 120 upgrading to diploma level in ophthalmic clinical practice, claim they had fully paid their dues and were shocked to be turned away during the exam registration process.
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“Everything had been going smoothly,” said third-year student Juma Muniro. “I followed all payment procedures, and I don’t owe anything. I’m confused about why I was denied access.”
Sarah Adeke, a single mother, said she had sold off her household property to pay for her studies, only to face disappointment at the last stage.
“I paid all the tuition and registration fees. The bursar acknowledged receipt. But we’re being denied without justification,” she said.
Another student, who requested anonymity, described the experience as emotionally devastating.
“My father sacrificed everything to pay my fees. If he learns I missed my final exams, it would break him. I have all my payment receipts,” he said.
Principal attributes issue to new exam policies
School principal Isaac Okoth defended the move, stating that exam registration is now under the Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board (UHPAB), not the school itself.
“Some students still owe us up to Shs7 million,” he alleged, suggesting many had used outdated registration procedures.
The confusion reportedly arises from the new 2025 Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Act, which reorganized exam authorities and introduced updated processes under UHPAB. Mr Okoth claims some students failed to comply with these changes.
RCC criticizes school leadership
Jinja City Resident Commissioner (RCC) Michael Kasonzi condemned the administration’s actions, describing them as heartless and unwarranted.
“How do you deny someone’s child the opportunity to sit exams over a non-essential bus fee?” he asked. “The bursar has confirmed that these students cleared all core payments.”
Kasonzi ordered an investigation into the school’s leadership, warning that poor management should not rob students of an entire academic year.
“We need to fix the gaps in this administration. Students should not be the ones paying for internal disorganization,” he added.
Background
The Ophthalmic Clinical Officers’ Training School was founded in 1989 at Mulago under the Ministry of Health and relocated to Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in 2001. Construction of a new campus in Danida-Masese Hill began in 2021 and officially opened in March 2023.
Originally offering training to post-basic clinical and nursing officers, the school began admitting direct Senior Six graduates in 2015 to meet the country’s rising need for eye care services.
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