A new school year does not begin with the first bell. It begins in supermarket aisles, in crowded shops downtown, and in quiet moments at home as parents study long school lists and mentally calculate what can wait and what cannot. It begins with equal parts hope and pressure, excitement for children, and responsibility for the adults determined to give them the best possible start.

For students, this season is filled with promise: fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, new bags, water bottles, and the confidence that comes with starting again. For parents and guardians, back to school is one of the most demanding periods of the year, requiring careful budgeting, time management, and emotional resilience as they balance school requirements with everyday household needs.

This year, there is a welcome pause in the usual rush. With the school reporting date extended by the Ministry of Education and Sports from 2nd February to 10th February, families have been granted something rare during the back-to-school season: time. Time to plan more thoughtfully, spread out expenses, and prepare without the panic that often shadows this period.

Across Uganda’s retail landscape, the back-to-school season reshapes shopping habits almost overnight. Families navigate a mix of downtown Kampala outlets, neighbourhood supermarkets, wholesalers, and open markets, piecing together supplies while stretching limited budgets. Major retail players such as Carrefour, Fraine, China Town, and Quality Supermarket all form part of this ecosystem, each serving different shopping needs, price points, and convenience expectations.

Back-to-school preparation today is about more than just stationery. Parents are balancing school essentials with everyday household needs, ensuring their children are equipped while their homes remain stocked for the term ahead. This includes organising stationery, school bags, water bottles, suitcases, bedsheets, blankets, cleaning supplies, snacks, and drinks for school, alongside groceries and other household staples such as cooking oil, rice, sugar, cereals, and more.

It is within this reality that Carrefour Supermarket Uganda’s Back to School campaign stands out. By offering discounts across school essentials—including books, pens, bags, mathematical sets, water bottles, suitcases, bedsheets, blankets, snacks, drinks, toiletries, and cleaning supplies—alongside household groceries, Carrefour allows parents to plan efficiently, save time, and prepare confidently. Families can tick off their back-to-school lists while replenishing their homes, turning what is usually a stressful season into a smooth, manageable, and even enjoyable experience.

For many parents, this makes a tangible difference. Sarah Namusoke, a mother of five, describes the shift:
 “Back-to-school shopping used to overwhelm me. I was always worried about time and money, and I would still need to rush elsewhere to restock food at home. This year feels different. With the extra days and Carrefour’s back-to-school discounts, I can plan properly. I am calmer, and my children feel that calm too.”

Fathers echo the same sentiment. John Okello explains:
 “Preparing for school is not just about buying supplies. It is about starting the term feeling organised and confident. When everything is sorted, from books and bags to food at home, the whole family settles into the new routine more smoothly. Carrefour makes that possible in one place.”

As the new term approaches, Carrefour’s Back to School initiative reflects a deeper understanding of family life during this season. By combining value across all school essentials with everyday household groceries, the campaign turns a traditionally stressful period into one defined by preparedness, confidence, and peace of mind.

For students, it means starting the year equipped and ready to learn. For parents and guardians, it is a reminder that when preparation is made easier and more holistic, the journey into a new school year can feel less like a scramble and more like a fresh, hopeful beginning.