Hamis Kiggundu’s Hana International School Accused of Exorbitant School Fees

Kampala, Uganda — A parent has lodged a formal complaint with Uganda Today alleging that Hana International School, a private education institution reportedly owned by city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, is charging exorbitant school dues and imposing additional compulsory requirements that are financially straining families.

The complaint follows the circulation of the school’s Term I Circular 2026, a copy of which was shared with this publication

The School Circular and Stipulated Dues

According to the circular seen by Uganda Today, the school outlines tuition and related school dues for the first term of 2026. While the document itemizes official fees payable, a concerned parent claims the listed figures do not fully reflect the total financial burden imposed on families.

“The fees in the circular are not the only costs,” the parent alleged. “There are compulsory requirements not included here. By last year they totaled to Shs 475,000.”

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The parent further claimed that these additional requirements are mandatory and unavoidable, effectively pushing the overall cost of enrollment far beyond what is formally communicated.

Allegations of Hidden and Compulsory Costs

Beyond the tuition and official dues, the complainant alleges that parents are required to meet several extra costs that are not clearly stipulated in the circular.

Among the concerns raised:

• Compulsory additional requirements reportedly totaling Shs 475,000 in the previous academic year.

• Multiple uniform sets, with each school day allegedly requiring a different uniform.

• Blazers paid for but allegedly never delivered to students.

“And each day has a different uniform set. Parents paid for blazers that were never given to their children,” the parent told Uganda Today.

If verified, such claims could raise broader concerns about transparency in fee structures among private schools, particularly at a time when many Ugandan households are grappling with economic pressures.

Growing Debate Over Private School Fees

The allegations against Hana International School come amid an ongoing national debate about the regulation of private education institutions and the affordability of quality schooling in urban centers such as Kampala.

Education stakeholders have previously called for clearer guidelines on fee structures, transparency in billing, and accountability mechanisms to protect parents from unanticipated financial demands.

While private schools operate independently, critics argue that full disclosure of all mandatory costs should be provided upfront to enable parents to make informed decisions.

School Headteacher’s Response

Efforts to obtain a comment from the management of Hana International School Mr. Abdu Karim yielded a response of explanation about the functional fees explaining that this is paid by only continuing students and that it caters for: medical fee, medical checkup, entertainment and student planner book.  Uganda Today will update this story once another official response is received from from Mr. Hamis Kiggundu regarding the allegations of functional fees charged.

Wider Implications

The complaint highlights the increasing scrutiny faced by private education providers in Uganda, especially those associated with prominent business figures. For many parents, transparency and predictability in school fee structures remain key concerns.

Should more parents come forward with similar complaints, the matter could prompt calls for regulatory review by relevant education authorities.

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