First Lady Speaks Out On False School Opening Letter

The First Lady and Education Minister Janet Museveni has dismissed a fake letter purportedly written by her indicating that schools will reopen next year.

On Thursday this week, a circular claiming that schools will reopen next year went viral on social media which left many parents confused.

The following day, the Ministry of Education Public Relations Officer Patrick Muinda issued a statement saying that the circular was a hoax.

While presenting the achievements of the Education Ministry in relation to the 2016 NRM manifesto at State House Entebbe on Saturday, the Education Minister reemphasized that letter was fake.

She said Cabinet will discuss when the schools should open and she will inform the public about the next course of action.

“I have seen a letter that somebody put on social media and claimed it was me, even put my name there. I thought really Ugandans are incredible because how can you even put my name there. I could see this person took a lot of time trying to give opinion about when schools should open, what children should do, what parents should do and so on and so forth. I want to say to you the media, please inform the public that that letter on social media was not from me because there is no way I can bring up other ideas from what the President said when I am part of Government,” said Mrs Museveni.

She added that when President Museveni addresses the nation, he communicates what was discussed in Cabinet and therefore her as a Minister cannot defy the Cabinet and order something different.

Asked when she will address the public about the reopening of schools, Janet only said soon.

“Well I can say soon. It has to be soon; I can’t tell you exactly when. We are discussing and we have many concerns now. Before these children go back to school, we need to have all the answers ourselves so that we can guide the schools,” she said.

“We are having meetings internally and we are brainstorming on these. We would even like to hear from parents themselves. We in the Ministry are discussing and I will soon address the parents and Permanent Secretary will give the guidelines to the schools, to Head Teachers so that they know what we believe they must do for schools to be safe, for our children to be safe. But I am sorry I can’t tell you exactly when.”

In President Museveni’s most recent address on May 19th 2020, he said schools will reopen for only candidate classes on 4th June.