By KT Reporter
At least 87 beneficiaries of the Dr. Francis Joash Ayume Foundation have been unveiled in Koboko. The unveiling ceremony, held over the weekend in Koboko Municipality, showcased graduates from both host and refugee communities in the West Nile sub-region. These beneficiaries have been pursuing various disciplines in higher institutions of learning, including Engineering, Nursing, and ICT.
Established in 2020 by Dr. Charles Ayume, the current Member of Parliament for Koboko Municipality, the F.J. Ayume Foundation was created in honor of his late father, Francis Joash Ayume, a former Speaker of Parliament. Since its inception, the foundation has supported over 100 students through both full and partial bursaries.
Beyond education, the foundation also empowers mothers with skills in teenage pregnancy prevention, economic empowerment, and youth livelihood programs. Dr. Charles Ayume, the team leader of the foundation, explained that his support for education is inspired by his father’s legacy of valuing education for all.
Wayi Dragamulai, the District Education Officer for Koboko, commended the Ayume family for upholding the late Speaker’s legacy through continued educational support. He noted that the West Nile region remains at a disadvantage when it comes to national merit-based university sponsorship.
Several beneficiaries of the foundation’s scholarships praised the Ayume family for helping them overcome financial constraints and achieve their academic and professional goals.
Mario Obiga Kania, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, officiated at the event and hailed the Francis Ayume Foundation as a vital initiative capable of shaping a better future for generations in West Nile. He proposed that annual memorial lectures be organized and called for the expansion of the foundation to include contributions from other stakeholders in the region.
Some of the foundation’s beneficiaries are already employed in sectors such as health, works and engineering, and ICT, while others are still pursuing their studies. The family has committed to continuing the initiative even beyond Dr. Charles Ayume’s tenure in Parliament-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
