Secondary school enrolment halves in Kaabong after WFP feeding cut
Secondary school enrollment in Uganda's Kaabong District has dropped by over 50% following the World Food Programme's decision to cut school feeding programs. Families are struggling to cover the increased costs of school fees and mandatory food contributions.
Why it matters
The withdrawal of food aid highlights the vulnerability of education systems in drought-prone regions and the direct link between nutrition and school attendance.
Enrolment in secondary schools across Kaabong District has dropped by more than half following withdrawal of the school feeding programme from secondary and tertiary institutions in Karamoja by World Food Programme.
On January 1, 2026, WFP started phased withdrawal of free feeding for secondary schools across Karamoja, affecting 36 institutions including 30 secondary schools and six tertiary institutions with combined enrolment of over 20,500 students.
In Kaabong, enrolment has dropped by at least 50 percent due to parents' inability to pay increased fees and mandatory food contributions.
Speaking to the Monitor , Mr Stephen Akileng, Kaabong District inspector of schools and district school feeding focal person, said the cuts have crippled learning.
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