36 Ugandans win prestigious UK scholarships for Postgraduate Studies
“These scholarships are much more than academic awards. They are investments in people, leadership and lasting connections between Uganda and the UK,” Kirlew said.
Deputy British High Commissioner to Uganda Tiffany Kirlew congratulated the scholars, describing the scholarships as an investment in people, leadership and stronger ties between Uganda and the UK.
36 Ugandans have been sent off to the United Kingdom to pursue postgraduate studies in various fields, including public health, education, climate change, economics, engineering, technology, governance and sciences.
The scholars, who include six Chevening Scholarship recipients and 30 Commonwealth scholars, are set to undertake master’s and doctoral programs at leading UK universities during the 2026/27 academic year.
They were recognised on August 27th during a joint pre-departure reception hosted by the British High Commission in Kampala ahead of their departure for the United Kingdom.
Deputy British High Commissioner to Uganda Tiffany Kirlew congratulated the scholars, describing the scholarships as an investment in people, leadership and stronger ties between Uganda and the UK.
“These scholarships are much more than academic awards. They are investments in people, leadership and lasting connections between Uganda and the UK,” Kirlew said.
She urged the scholars to make the most of the opportunity by acquiring new knowledge, building networks and gaining experiences that would contribute to Uganda’s development when they return home.
The scholarships are funded by the UK government through the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office as part of its support for future leaders and international partnerships.
At the reception, Muzamilu Mukwatampola, the commissioner of scholarships at the Ministry of Education and Sports, urged the scholars to return to Uganda after completing their studies and use their skills to contribute to national development.
He said winning the scholarships was a significant achievement given the high level of competition for the opportunities.
He told the scholars that about 2,000 people applied for the six Chevening scholarships awarded to Ugandans this year.
For the Commonwealth scholarships administered through the Ministry of Education and Sports, he said about 800 applicants competed for the available opportunities.
“You are special people, special Ugandans who have been able to win this opportunity. It is not something every day every other person will get,” he told the scholars.
He urged them not to focus only on academic grades but also build professional networks that could help them contribute to solving challenges facing Uganda.
“The network is very important. You might learn more about how to change certain things in this country through the networks than from the lectures,” he said.
He said the Ministry of Education sometimes receives reports of scholars who fail to progress with their studies, forcing authorities to make arrangements for them to return home.
“My prayer is that as we prepare you for leaving for your various universities, you set yourselves socially and mentally to go and study, to go and live responsibly and be able to complete your studies and then eventually come back home,” he said.
The scholars will join a growing community of Ugandans who have benefited from the two UK-funded scholarship programs. Since 1983, more than 370 Ugandans have received Chevening Scholarships, while the Commonwealth Scholarship program has supported more than 1,900 Ugandan scholars and fellows since its establishment.
Among this year's beneficiaries is Anna-Flora Abe, a Chevening scholar who will pursue a master’s degree in Water, Sanitation and Health Engineering at the University of Leeds.
Abe, who works in the water sector, said the program would equip her with knowledge and skills that could help improve the management and sustainability of Uganda’s groundwater resources.
She said Uganda relies heavily on groundwater to provide water for its population, while the country is increasingly adopting digital systems to manage water resources.
“I believe that the knowledge and skills that I’ll acquire while studying at the University of Leeds and experiencing some of the systems while there will contribute to the better management of groundwater resources and sustainability,” Abe said.
The ministry and the British High Commission encouraged the scholars to maintain links with Uganda while abroad and return with knowledge, skills and networks that can contribute to the country's development.