KAMPALA UGANDA: 06 January 2026— The Ministry of Education and Sports has officially released the school calendar for the 2026 academic year, setting the stage for a busy schedule for primary and secondary institutions across Uganda.
In a circular signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kedrace R. Turyagyenda, the Ministry has outlined term dates, holiday periods, and key national school activities. The 2026 academic year is scheduled to span 260 days of instruction, beginning in early February.
2026 Academic Term Dates
The primary and secondary school year will be structured as follows: Term 1 starts on Monday February 2, 2026 and ends Friday May 1, 2026. …
|
Term  |
Start Date |
End Date |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Term I  |
Monday, 2nd February 2026 |
Friday, 1st May 2026 |
89 Days |
|
Term II |
Monday, 25th May 2026 |
Friday, 21st August 2026 |
89 Days |
|
Term III |
Monday, 14th September 2026 |
Friday, 4th December 2026 |
Learners will enjoy a 23-day break between Terms I and II, and another 23-day holiday between Terms II and III. The long end-of-year holiday will commence on 5th December 2026, and run until 31st January 2027.
Key Reporting Dates for S.1 and S.5
The Ministry also clarified the reporting schedule for incoming Senior One and Senior Five students:
S.1 Students: Placement will take place from 29th – 30th January 2026, with students expected to report for their first term on 16th February 2026.
S.5 Students: Placement is set for 12th – 13th February 2026, with reporting scheduled for 23rd February 2026.
Strict Directives and Compliance
Dr. Turyagyenda issued a firm directive to all school heads, emphasizing that this calendar is mandatory for both government and private institutions.
”Non-adherence to this calendar will attract disciplinary action against the implicated head of school/institution,” the statement reads.
The Ministry has explicitly forbidden teaching during designated holidays without written permission from the Permanent Secretary. Furthermore, school terms are not to be cut short for any reason.
Traffic Management in Kampala
In a move to address the perennial problem of gridlock during school opening and closing days, the Ministry has directed boarding schools within the Kampala City Metropolitan area to stagger their start and end dates. Headteachers are required to spread these dates over two to three days to mitigate traffic congestion.
Operational Guidelines
The circular also reaffirmed standard operating hours for schools:
Primary and Post-Primary: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Pre-Primary: 8:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Individual schools are encouraged to set their own open days and visitation days in consultation with neighboring institutions to avoid localized congestion.
