Anyone with school-going children knows the pressure that comes with paying school fees. Every term feels like a financial hurdle, and with each passing year, schools seem to raise their fees—often without any apparent consideration for the broader economic pressures families are facing. For many parents, this creates a constant sense of financial strain.
As a strategist and a parent of three daughters, I knew I had to find a long-term, sustainable way to handle their education expenses—one that wouldn’t depend solely on my job or daily hustle.
Like many parents, I started by exploring traditional options. Education insurance policies looked promising at first, but I quickly discovered that they lacked the flexibility and transparency I needed. The terms were rigid, the returns were modest, and I couldn’t confidently align them with my actual fee timelines. Next, I tried unit trusts. While they offer more flexibility and the potential for decent returns, they require a level of discipline to consistently save—and that’s where I fell short. Life kept getting in the way, and I found myself dipping into the savings for other needs.
A few years ago, I began experimenting with treasury bonds issued by the Bank of Uganda. What started as a curious investment turned into a solid, strategic move. I built what’s known as a bond ladder—a portfolio of long-term treasury bonds with staggered maturity dates. These bonds pay out interest, known as coupons, every six months. Instead of spending these payouts, I typically reinvest them into new long-term bonds, compounding the income over time, and currently, my portfolio pays me a coupon every two months. Today, my bond ladder generates enough passive income to comfortably cover my daughters’ school fees—from primary to university—in modest Ugandan schools.
There are a few reasons why this approach has worked so well for my family. The bi-monthly coupon payments provide a reliable stream of income that matches school fees timelines. No last-minute scrambles. No stress. Since this income doesn’t depend on my employment, I’ve effectively de-risked my daughters’ education from my career. Whether or not I’m earning a salary, the school fees are covered. Treasury bonds are one of the safest investments available in Uganda. Unlike shares or small businesses, they aren’t volatile. That stability makes them perfect for a mission-critical goal like funding education. With maturities of up to 20 years, these bonds are ideal for planning ahead. I’ve structured them to align with each major milestone in my daughters’ academic journey.
Education is one of the biggest and most important expenses a family can face. For me, bonds have turned this financial burden into a well-managed, predictable commitment. It’s not flashy, and it doesn’t promise massive returns overnight—but it works. If you’re a parent struggling with how to sustainably plan for school fees, I encourage you to look into treasury bonds. It might just be the solution you’ve been searching for.
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