Businessman Faults Education System, Plans Formal Proposal to Government

Kampala, Uganda — April 22, 2026Education reform debate has intensified after Ugandan businessman Nyanzi Martin Luther criticized the country’s education system as overly long, ineffective, and exhausting, and announced plans to formally submit reform proposals to the government.

In an interview on Wednesday, he said Uganda’s current education structure forces learners to spend more than two decades in school with limited practical outcomes, describing the system as “too poor and tiresome.

”“We are tired of spending over 20 to 25 years in academics and ending up with nothing practical,” he said, adding that the structure needs urgent review to align with modern economic realities.

He revealed that he will on Thursday submit an official proposal to the Ministry of Education and Sports, outlining recommendations aimed at restructuring the system to make it shorter, more skills-based, and responsive to employment demands.

Among the key proposals, he is advocating for a significant reduction in the duration of formal education to approximately 10 years, alongside the integration of vocational training and practical skills development at earlier stages.

Uganda’s current system typically comprises seven years of primary education, six years of secondary education, and an additional three to five years of tertiary or university study.

Critics argue that the long academic pathway delays entry into the workforce and contributes to rising youth unemployment.

His remarks have sparked discussion across social media platforms, with some Ugandans supporting calls for reform while others caution against abrupt structural changes without careful planning.

As of Wednesday evening, the Ministry had not publicly responded to the businessman’s statements or confirmed receipt of the anticipated proposal.

Education stakeholders have long called for a shift toward competency-based learning and expanded technical education, but implementation challenges have slowed progress.

His planned submission is expected to further push the conversation on how Uganda can reform its education system to better equip learners with practical skills while reducing the time spent in formal schooling.