The Ireland Karamoja Bursary Programme is a major boost to Education in the Sub-region.
Celebrating 30 years of Ireland in Uganda-Impact stories.
Mr. Joshua Agan talks enthusiastically about the impact of Ireland Karamoja Bursary Programme on young people in Karamoja as he walks along the corridor of the bustling Moroto High School in Moroto District in Karamoja. The students, dressed impeccably in the school uniform, are busy making their way from one class to another. They respectfully nod to Mr. Agan as they go about their business. Mr. Agan is the school’s Deputy Head Teacher, and he has been working here for 18 years, more or less since Irish Aid started funding education in the sub region, one of the poorest in Uganda.
“I cannot emphasise enough how the support for education over the last two decades has changed Karamoja. It is the single biggest contribution Ireland has made to Karamoja. 20 years ago, the literacy level in Karamoja was only 6%. Today it has more than doubled to around 15 % which is major progress.” says Mr. Agan
Moroto High School has a total of 1,341 students, of which 366 are supported on the Ireland Karamoja Bursary Programme. Mr. Agan says that “They are our best achievers in all areas. They are determined to use the opportunity to get a good education, and to go on to have better lives for themselves and their families. This has not come easy to them, so they do not take it for granted.”
This full Bursary covers the student for high school and University education taking care of tuition fees, all scholastic materials, uniforms, other school essentials plus termly pocket money of 100,000 UG Shillings (about 25 Euros) which money many children pass on to support their families. In addition, Ireland funded important infrastructural work at the school over the years including building staff accommodation, two classrooms, an ICT lab and a girls’ dormitory. The school also benefits from the school feeding programme that Ireland funds through World Food Program.
Paul Sam Munyes a Senior six student is in his final year has been on the Bursary programme since Senior one and hopes to study agriculture at University. Before he got the Bursary life was very challenging. He lost his mother ten years ago and his dad during Covid-19. He is one of five children. He says, “…we could not afford to buy a book or a pen. My family is very poor, and it was very challenging. So, getting the bursary changed my life and perception of the future.” Paul is clearly a leader and is the Moroto representative for the Ugandan National Students Association (UNSA)
Janet Momiloa a Senior five student has been on the Bursary programme since Senior one. She says “…my parents are very poor and could not afford school fees and other support. We are a family of eight children so the pocket money I receive supports us together. I am the first born, and I hope I will give good example to my brothers and sisters to follow me. My dream is to study Education at the University and become a professional teacher. With the Bursary support I now see this as a possibility.”
About the programme:
This Bursary programme started in 2006 and by 2017,200 new students were enrolled every beginning of year. Starting this year, the annual number of new students was increased to 250. A total of 1,424 are currently benefitting. These Bursary beneficiaries go to 13 secondary boarding schools within and outside Karamoja Sub region; and 14 Universities and higher institutions of learning. So far, we have 350 graduates who have successfully attained degrees, diplomas and certificates.