Mengo Senior Secondary School Head, Dr. Grace Nantajja, has defended the school’s fees amid concerns that private and well-established schools are increasingly charging high fees while citing improvements in facilities and services.
Nantajja said the fees charged by the school are not arbitrarily determined but are approved after consultations with parents, the school governing body and the ministry of Education and Sports.

She made the remarks while outlining preparations for dinner phase two 2026, scheduled for 9th October 2026 to raise funds for the construction of schools proposed complex dining hall.
The project is estimated to cost 18.6billionShs, of which the school has so far raised 4 billionShs.  The money has been used to complete the first two floors of the building.

Nantajja said the school runs numerous programmes and activities aimed at preparing students for the modern world, but providing the services requires significant financial resources. “At Mengo, we have 378 staff members, but the government pays 73 staff of them only. This means that the parents pay for the remaining staff,” Nantajja said.

She appealed to other students, parents and well-wishers to attend the dinner and support the school’s effort to complete the project within three years.
The organizers hope to raise Shs500 million from this year’s dinner towards construction of the remaining seven floors.

A table at the dinner costs Shs 4millions and accommodates eight people making the cost per person seat at Shs500,000.
Dorothy Kigunddu, who is responsible for communications and student displine at Mengo SS, said Dinner phase two 2026 is the second fundraising dinner for the project, following the inaugural event held in 2025.
Kigundu said the schools existing dining facilities are inadequate due to an increase in the number of students.

She said the new building will include a spacious dining hall, computer library, gymnasium, canteen and staff offices, among others facilities, to improve the student’s learning environment.
kigundu said although the first two floors have been completed, the school still requires substantial funding to complete the remaining sections.

She added that the people who cannot afford a full table can attend by paying Shs 500,000. For an individual seat.
Those unable to afford a full seat can also contribute any amount towards the project.
She said: “Those who would like to support the project with smaller amounts are also welcome. Even a contribution of Shs 10,000. Can help.”