Muyingo appointed acting education minister, urges quality training

26 June 2026, 11:23 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

President Yoweri Museveni has appointed the Minister of State for Higher Education, Hon. Dr Crysostom Muyingo, as the Acting Minister of Education and Sports.

In a statement issued by the Presidential Press Unit, the President confirmed that Dr Muyingo’s appointment takes immediate effect. The appointment follows the temporary absence of the substantive minister, who is still recovering, according to President Museveni’s remarks during the 78th birthday celebrations of First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Acting Minister of Education and Sports has urged medical training institutions across Uganda to maintain strict quality standards in the training of health professionals, warning against over-enrolment beyond available training capacity.

Dr Muyingo made the remarks during an inspection tour of health training institutions in Mbale City, including Mbale School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mbale College of Health Sciences, and Mbale School of Hygiene. The visit coincided with the ongoing final examinations administered by the Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board (UHPAB).

The examinations, which began on 15 June 2026, are scheduled to end on 26 June 2026. The inspection aimed to assess the conduct of the examinations and evaluate the preparedness of the institutions hosting candidates.

Dr Muyingo emphasised that while expanding access to medical education remains important, institutions must not compromise on training quality. He noted that producing competent health workers is critical to strengthening Uganda’s healthcare system and improving service delivery nationwide.

He cautioned against admitting students beyond institutional capacity, stressing that adherence to established standards and regulations is essential in producing skilled and professional health workers.

The Commissioner for Health Training in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Hajjat Safina Kisu Musene, said the examinations had been conducted smoothly across the country without any reported cases of malpractice. She commended UHPAB for maintaining high standards in the organisation and administration of national assessments.

Leaders of the institutions visited, including Mr Ilukor Geresom of Mbale School of Hygiene, Mr Angwelu Angushu of Mbale College of Health Sciences, and Ms Buyo Remaliah of Mbale School of Nursing and Midwifery, praised the Ministry for its continued support to health training institutions.

They highlighted government interventions such as the construction of new infrastructure, provision of modern buses for student transport, and other investments aimed at improving the learning environment for health students.

The inspection comes as President Museveni continues to emphasise improved service delivery under the “Kisanja No More Sleep, Kisanja No More Corruption” agenda, focusing on accountability, efficiency and effective implementation of government programmes.

Government officials say strengthening the quality of medical education remains key to building a competent health workforce capable of supporting Uganda’s healthcare system and contributing to socio-economic transformation.