A dispute over tuition payments has affected over 300 students at Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals in Iganga District, Uganda. The issue was raised in Parliament by Hon. John Musila, the Member of Parliament for Bubulo East County. According to Musila, students paid money through an agent within the institution and were cleared by the accounts office, only to be later informed that their payments could not be recognised.
The affected students, including finalists, are facing anxiety and potential academic disruption due to the dispute. Lubega Institute, located in Busei, Iganga District, offers training in nursing, midwifery, allied health sciences, and other professional programmes. The institution has thousands of students and partnerships with several health facilities for practical training. The dispute has raised questions about the responsibility of students who make payments through authorised agents.
Musila told Parliament that the students followed the institution's payment procedure by handing their money to an agent within the school. After making payments, students were issued clearance by the accounts office, giving them the impression that their financial obligations had been settled. However, the institution later questioned some transactions and accused the affected students of defrauding the school.
The situation escalated after a parents' meeting on 1 October 2026, with some students allegedly sent away from the institution at night. The circumstances surrounding the alleged eviction, including the number of students affected and alternative arrangements, are unclear. This development is particularly significant for finalists, whose academic progress and completion of programmes could be affected.
The dispute highlights the need for the institution and affected students to establish what happened to the disputed payments and determine responsibility for any irregularities. Documentation such as receipts, payment registers, and bank records could help establish whether the money was received and properly accounted for. The issue goes beyond outstanding fees, potentially involving accountability for tuition payments and protection of students relying on institutional financial procedures.
Lubega Institute, a private training institution established in 2016, has expanded significantly and offers programmes in nursing, midwifery, medical sciences, and other professional fields. The institution has previously been in the public spotlight over student performance. In March 2025, finalists appealed to the government to improve basic supplies in health facilities, while the institute reported strong performance among students who sat examinations.
Several key questions need to be answered as the matter is investigated, including who authorised the agent to collect tuition payments, whether students were issued official receipts, and why students were cleared by the accounts office if payments were subsequently disputed. The allegations raised in Parliament remain claims attributed to MP Musila until these questions are answered.
Key points
- Over 300 students at Lubega Institute face academic disruption due to a tuition payment dispute.
- The dispute raises questions about the responsibility of students who make payments through authorised agents.
- The institution's financial administration and student-management systems are under scrutiny due to the fee dispute.
