By Hillary Opio Omara

AMOLATAR - Former Kyoga County Member of Parliament Moses Junior Okot Bitek has urged parents in Lango Sub-region not to be misled by reports suggesting that they should stop paying school fees based on statements attributed to government officials.

Okot Bitek warned that parents who abandon their responsibility of paying school fees and supporting their children’s education risk exposing them to exploitation and a difficult future,saying such children could end up becoming “slaves” in society.

Okot Bitek made the remarks on Friday, October 9,2026,while addressing candidates of Mentor Secondary School in Gwengabara, Lira City East Division,during a dedication prayer ahead of the 2026 Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and UACE examinations.

The legislator called on parents to take seriously the message delivered by the Minister for Local Government,Balam Byaruhanga Ateenyi,who has urged parents to ensure their children remain in school and complete their education.

He cautioned that children whose education is interrupted because of unpaid school fees risk missing important opportunities and becoming vulnerable to exploitation.

Okot Bitek also challenged claims that parents who fail to pay school fees are necessarily struggling financially,arguing that some families have the means to support their children but do not give education the attention it deserves.

Lira City Resident City Commissioner Emmy Lawrence Egole,who also attended the dedication prayer as a guest of honour, encouraged the candidates to remain focused on their studies and work hard to achieve better results.

Egole said education plays a crucial role in shaping children’s futures and urged parents across Lango to support their children throughout their academic journey.

He reminded the candidates that examinations are not intended to frighten or discourage them but to assess how well they have prepared and understood what they have been taught.

The RCC encouraged the students to approach their examinations with confidence,discipline and determination, adding that good performance could open doors to further education and other opportunities.

Meanwhile,Mentor Secondary School headteacher Alfred Oparo urged parents to provide the necessary support to candidates as they prepare to return home during the examination period.

Oparo cautioned parents against allowing their children to lose focus or become discouraged by the challenges associated with school fees,urging them to find ways of keeping their children in school.

He appealed to parents whose children are sitting their UCE examinations at the school to ensure they return promptly and continue with their education,emphasising the importance of completing the examination cycle.

A total of 205 candidates at Mentor Secondary School are sitting their UCE and UACE examinations this year.