EDUCATION | REFUGEES | STUDENTS

KAMPALA - Needy university refugee students and asylum seekers now have hope for education after the signing of a partnership between Makerere University College of Education and External Studies and the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS).

The three years education partnership favours 28 female students who will acquire scholastic materials, sanitary pads and above all, tuition and functional fees.  

In the partnership, students from the College of Education and External Studies, who cannot afford to cater for the university education and scholastic material, will be assisted freely until when they complete their studies.

The dean of the school, Prof. Mathias Bwanika, while signing a memorandum of understanding with JRS at Makerere University yesterday, December 6, 2022, said the female students at the college are faced with several challenges, especially the vulnerable and refugees.

“I receive stories of female students who come to my office telling me that they have gone days without any meal and yet they have to attend lectures,” Bwanika said.

He added that with such support, many students will be relieved of some of the burdens.

Bwanika appreciated the support saying it will help some vulnerable students, refugees and asylum seekers to have an education since the programme is all-inclusive.

University secretary Yusuf Kiranda said some students do not have necessities, including sanitary pads and books, which forces them to engage in fun activities, which can eventually lead them to drop out of school.

JRS Uganda country director Christina Zetlmeisl said everyone has a right to education, even those that have crossed to another country as refugees or asylum seekers.

“JRS implements refugee programmes looking at the urban centres and those who do not have shelter as well as being refugees, having education one will have skills and get job,” she said.

Over 1 million refugees in Uganda

Uganda is currently home to 1.5 million refugees.