Teaching Catholicism in schools reduces fanaticism, Ugandan education authorities say

Ugandan education authorities have robustly defended the employing of Catholicism within the national education system, following a social media complaint alleging that schools were exclusively teaching Catholic doctrines to children.

Ugandan pupils which education give Catholicism to combat fanaticism

Dr Asuman Lukwago, Permanent Secretary at the Education Services Commission, dismissed the complaint without requesting evidence, instead commending the positive impact of integrating Catholicism into the curriculum.

He asserted that such exposure fosters good citizenship and reduces fanaticism. "What is the problem with that?" Dr Lukwago questioned this week. "It is better to allow your children to be exposed to a variety of knowledge about God, and this will make them better global citizens, and reduce fanaticism."

What is a problem with that??
It's better to allow your Children to be exposed to a variety of knowledge about God, and this will make them bett5 Global citizens, and reduce Fanaticism.

— Dr. Asuman Lukwago (@ps_lukwago) September 15, 2026

The initial complaint, which asked "Schools are teaching Catholicism to our children. Want evidence?", originated from an individual who had recently posted a video in a local Ugandan language criticising the teaching of Catholic doctrines in schools.

The evidence cited was a primary school examination paper from western Uganda for the end of the second term.

The examination required pupils to draw items used in baptism, specifically a candle, rosary, and a cup of water, all of which are typically associated with Roman Catholic baptism rites of pouring of water on the forehead.

Some of the examination of primary pupils in Uganda/ Faith Reporters

The complainant argued that it was betrayal to favour the Roman Catholic Church by using public funds and institutions to propagate its catholic doctrines, particularly to young people across the country.

Dr Lukwago's response can suggest that he views Catholicism in the education system as a means to cultivate good citizens and mitigate fanaticism and in this context, other belief are perceived as potential sources of fanaticism, which Catholicism is believed to counteract.

Dr Lukwago's X (formerly Twitter) account prominently features Roman Catholic beliefs regarding the dead and includes images of high-ranking Roman Catholic priests, including the head of the Vatican.

According to the complaint video, a headteacher from one of the schools acknowledged the pervasive presence of Catholicism in the school curriculum, particulary stating that what is termed as "religious education" in schools is all about Catholic doctrines.

The Roman Catholic Church is the dominant denomination in Uganda, accounting for almost 40 per cent of the population.

The Anglican Church, Evangelicals, and Muslims share the remaining 60 per cent.

The Seventh-day Adventists, which would holds beliefs distinct from the Roman Catholic Church, represent only two per cent of the population, with some regions lacking any professed Seventh-day Adventists.

Uganda's religious history indicates that Catholicism was never welcome in central and western Uganda until the Protestant kings of Buganda and Bunyoro were exiled and subsequently died in exile.