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Uganda market introduction

Last updated November 2008

Market environment
Historically, links between Uganda and the UK are very strong and many of the Ugandan elite spent long periods studying in the UK. Many have close professional associations with UK counterparts and institutions. The Government continues to be committed to the implementation of sound economic policies and the maintenance of macroeconomic stability. The Government is committed to provide for, support, guide, co-ordinate, regulate and promote quality education.

Although the original idea was to have Universal Secondary Education (USE), the Ministry of Education and Sports and indeed Government have adopted a more holistic approach by looking at Universal Post Primary Education and Training (UPPET).

Market characteristics
The existing structure of the education system in Uganda has been in force since the early 1960s. It is organised around levels and is often referred to as a 7-6-3 system. It consists of seven years of primary education followed by the lower secondary cycle of four years and the upper secondary cycle of two years, after which there are three to five years of university studies, depending on the programme in the higher education sub-sector.

The higher education sub-sector is composed of universities and non-university institutions officially referred to as 'Other Tertiary Institutions'. Primary education is compulsory, although some children fail to attend or can only attend for some periods of the year. The language of instruction in all education institutions in Uganda is English, which together with mathematics form the core compulsory subjects at lower secondary schools. The education sector in Uganda has undergone various institutional transformations over the years. The changes in the education sector have been characterised by the emergency of several private education institutions at all levels. This has overcome the monopolistic nature in the sector, where the Government was the sole provider of education services in the country and most schools and institutions were run by the Government.

With the existence of many schools and institutions, students and parents are able to make a choice of a suitable school or institution that they feel meets their needs. In addition, competition has become increasingly high in the education sector, with various players on the international education scene, the UK being one of the most sought after destinations for International students.

However, East and West Africa has one of the highest student visa refusal rates in the world. The student visa refusal rate increased to 63 per cent in 2004 / 2005. There were 22,115 student visas refusals in 2004 / 2005. The most likely explanation behind this increase is the tightening of the visa regime. Uganda has seen the visa refusal rate increase from 38 per cent in 2001 / 2002 to 67.7 per cent in 2004 / 2005.

Market opportunities
The transformation in the education sector has been followed by an increasing demand for higher education as a priority among young people in Uganda.

Indeed, there are more and more international schools in the market every year. We are partnering with five of these. Some of these schools charge up to USD 10,000 per term and there are three terms in a year. These are the main target for the education exhibition.

The Government has enacted a policy to sponsor mainly a dedicated number of students pursuing courses in disciplines critical to the Ugandan economy at higher institutions of learning, which are widely classified as science courses. Furthermore, salaries for such professionals have been enhanced both at higher training institutions and in the public service.

The Universal Primary Education (UPE) system, which was introduced in 1997, has seen quite a number of pupils get the Primary Leaving Certificate. However, only about forty per cent of primary school graduates are absorbed into the secondary cycle, which implies that there are fewer schools than available students, presenting an opportunity for private and foreign institutions to absorb the surplus. Similarly, the decline in government funding for students, as well as the increase demand for higher education, has resulted in an increase of self-funding Ugandan students who have the flexibility to study overseas.

From a survey by the British Council (November 2005), a majority of young people hold a view that higher education in Uganda is not only high priced but also characterised by theoretical instructions rather than being supplemented by practical exposure in the particular disciplines, the end result being job seekers and not job makers being created. In terms of education advancement, respondents in both higher education institutions and secondary schools anticipate that within a five to ten year period, they will be undertaking their Masters or PhD studies overseas, mostly in the UK and the USA, because these countries are endowed with the facilities and technology that would see them acquire skills necessary for desirable careers.

Uganda is seen as one of the countries in the East and West Africa Region with a big student market for Education UK (according to HESA Student Records).

Our infrastructure and strategic education priorities
Education marketing is one of the key operations of the British Council in Uganda. The British Council provides education information to prospective international students and education providers for a minimum of eight hours per week.

British Council Uganda has a large examinations business with candidates sitting GCE, IGCSE and other professional examinations amounting to over 13,000 examinations every year. We are currently running a television advertising campaign enlightening the pubic about the new Education UK brand and what it has to offer.

An essential part of our strategy revolves around changing perceptions of the UK, especially through our website and publications. The overall impact of our work in this field is to make the UK a more attractive destination in terms of study, innovation, individuality, inspiration and lifestyle.

DCSIMG