LDC director defends 20% tuition fee hike
Entrance of the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Kampala. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- Mr Frank Nigel Othembi says the increment will cushion the institution from the adverse effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
The Director of Law Development Centre (LDC), Mr Frank Nigel Othembi, has defended the 20 percent increment of tuition fees.
Mr Othembi in a telephone interview yesterday said the institution had not increased tuition in the past four years.
“Costs are rising in all sectors and LDC contributes to government revenue since the course fees are paid to Uganda Revenue Authority,” Mr Othembi said.
He added that there is value for money since the institution offers first-class education services.
The LDC boss also clarified that the fees structure would not affect continuing students but those starting in the next academic year that will begin on October 11.
The LDC has joined the list of institutions of learning which have snubbed government orders not to hike fees.
Established in 1970 by an Act of Parliament, the LDC offers practical training for legal practitioners. The institution has the monopoly in teaching the postgraduate diploma in legal practice.
Last week, Parliament summoned Education Minister Janet Museveni to appear before the House’s Education and Sports Committee to address issues in the education sector, including hiked school dues and salary disparities between Science and Arts teachers.
Our investigation story that ran yesterday, showed that many schools have continued to record low learners turnout in the first week due to tuition fee increment.
Many schools managers have defended the decision to hike fees, reasoning that the same is intended to cushion them from inflationary pressures that have doubled their operational costs.
Fees structure
The increment saw the Bar Course for Ugandan and East African applicants increase from Shs5m to Shs6m.
Applicants outside Uganda and East Africa will pay an extra $600 (Shs2.3m) from $2,400 (Shs9.1m) to $3,000 (Shs11.4m).
The cost of the Diploma in Law and the Diploma in Human Rights has been maintained at Shs2.5m while the fees for foreigners have been raised from $1,750 (Shs6.6m) to $2,000 (Shs7.6m).
Prospective Administrative Officers Law Course students will have to pay an extra Shs50,000 from Shs950,000 to Shs1m.
Students repeating a subject will pay an extra Shs500,000.
