The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter is celebrating 482 young people who have successfully completed the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) under its Higher Education Access Programme (HEAP).
Most of the 482 graduates enrolled in HEAP in 2025.
The graduates completed a one-year bridging programme at 14 FAWE Uganda partner institutions: Kampala International University (Western Campus), Kabale University, Bishop Stuart University, Mountains of the Moon University, Cavendish University, Ndejje University, Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Busitema University, Kumi University, Lira University, Soroti University, Gulu University, Muni University, and Uganda Martyrs University–Nkozi.
They have now qualified to progress into undergraduate degree programmes of their choice, with the majority headed for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, a notable outcome given how few Ugandan girls typically enter STEM higher education. The milestone reflects FAWE Uganda’s commitment to opening university access to talented young people who would otherwise be shut out by financial, academic, or social barriers.
The two-day HEAC transitioning workshop at Uganda Technical College (UTC), Lira, is also being used to equip participants with practical skills for university life. Calvin Okello, Program Coordinator-Education, FAWE Uganda says all the entrants were successful. ”All 482 students who began the Higher Education Access Certificate completed the full year. Zero dropouts.”
The Higher Education Access Certificate is a one-year bridging programme for students who do not meet the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) requirements for direct entry into university or diploma programmes. HEAC builds strong foundational academic skills and subject-specific preparation, enabling learners to compete favourably in degree programmes without repeating A-levels.
Accredited as an additional pathway into university education by the National Council for Higher Education and the Ministry of Education and Sports, HEAC gives promising students from under-resourced schools and communities a second chance. Through HEAP, FAWE Uganda works with partner universities to deliver HEAC while providing ongoing mentoring, life-skills training, and transition support.
“Every year, we see bright young people who are unable to access higher education because of missing the entry grades narrowly,” said Susan Opok Tumusiime, Executive Director of FAWE Uganda. “HEAC exists to close that gap. These 482 young people put in the work, and now they are moving into degree programmes, many in STEM fields where our girls remain underrepresented. That is exactly what this programme is for.”
Building on the success of HEAP Phase I, FAWE Uganda launched Phase II in April 2024 with the goal of supporting 2,000 underrepresented young people aged 18 to 25 across Uganda by 2030.
Phase II specifically targets marginalised youth, especially young women, refugees, persons with disabilities, and learners from economically disadvantaged and historically underrepresented communities.Initially implemented in 50 districts, HEAP expanded in 2026 to reach 65 districts. Through bursaries, academic and psychosocial support, and pathways into Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), university degrees, and HEAC, the programme enables participants to transition into higher education and, ultimately, dignified work.
Earlier this year, FAWE Uganda opened applications for the 2026/2027 HEAP bursary cycle, offering 600 places split between the HEAC bridging pathway and direct TVET placements-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
