By KT Reporter
The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) has launched a 700-beneficiary bursary intake with a call to learners to uphold good morals. Martha Muhwezi, the Executive Director of FAWE Africa, urged students embarking on their higher education programmes to embrace integrity and contribute to restoring ethical leadership in Uganda.
She made the remarks during the FAWE Uganda Chapter’s closure of the Extended Orientation Programme (EOP) for the 2025/2026 bursary recipients under the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Higher Education Access Programme (HEAP). Reflecting on ongoing political party primaries ahead of the 2026 general elections, Muhwezi criticised politicians who buy votes for as little as 1,000 shillings, saying this amounts to selling the country’s future cheaply.
She noted that such practices are a source of shame and challenged the bursary beneficiaries to work towards changing this reality in their communities.
HEAP targets talented but economically disadvantaged learners—young people with the potential to succeed but lacking the resources to continue their education. It prioritizes inclusivity for refugees, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities.
This milestone event marked the formal preparation of 700 new scholars who will pursue higher education at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Uganda.
The EOP serves as a platform to help bursary recipients adapt to university life, strengthen leadership skills, and prepare for successful transitions into the workforce after graduation. Muhwezi urged the scholars to continuously improve their skills to stand out.
Building on the success of HEAP Phase I, FAWE Uganda launched Phase II in April 2024 with a target of supporting over 1,200 young people from 50 districts with the highest numbers of disadvantaged youth. In 2025, the programme expanded to 63 districts to broaden access and create more opportunities for youth from marginalized communities.
Susan Opok Tumusiime, the Executive Director of FAWE Uganda, said that beyond tuition and stipends, the programme offers psychosocial support and structured mentorship. Over the next three years, FAWE Uganda has allocated 27 million US dollars to fund the education of 1,800 young people—1,000 in higher education and 800 in vocational training. This forms part of a continental initiative targeting 10,550 learners in 10 African countries.
According to Opok, the EOP has equipped participants with the knowledge, networks, and confidence to face future challenges. For 2025/2026, FAWE Uganda awarded 700 bursaries in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Of these, 500 bursaries are for the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) programme at partner universities, while 200 are for STEM-focused TVET courses at accredited institutions.
Phase I of the programme enrolled 334 participants (206 females and 128 males), with 221 graduates (135 females and 86 males). The initiative prioritises gender equity, with 80 percent of bursaries allocated to young women, addressing the historical disadvantage they face due to cultural norms.
Opok added that the HEAC programme has been accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), making it the fourth recognised entry route to university in Uganda. The programme’s design and implementation were informed by research commissioned by FAWE Uganda, which identified challenges including low transition rates to higher education, insufficient preparation for university studies, and limited access for marginalized learners.
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