Uganda's exceptional teachers of 2025 begin Ireland trip

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TMD IRELAND TRIP ✈️🇮🇪

📝 September 26: Getting to Dublin

About 10 minutes after take-off from Entebbe International Airport, towards midnight, the Turkish Airlines plane carrying the award winners of the Teachers Making a Difference of 2025 was already 5,159 metres above the ground, travelling at approximately 702 kilometres per hour.

From the 3D flight map, the route showed the Boeing 737 leaving Entebbe destined for Istanbul, passing over Mukono and Lugazi, before continuing towards Soroti and Kotido.

The plane would later turn towards South Sudan's capital Juba, before continuing through Khartoum (Sudan) and Cairo (Egypt). It kept on climbing and gaining speed.

The travelling group of teachers and others on board would be airborne for approximately six hours before landing in Istanbul, Turkey.

Dr Annet Mugisha Kajura from Uganda's education ministry of education and teacher Ann Lomonyang (R) of Kangole Boys Primary School prepare to take their seats

Teachers Alice Mary Birungi Baruga of Bombo Army Secondary School and Arafat Ndiwa Chemasuet (R), Kalas Girls Primary on the flight

At 5:37am Sunday, the plane touched down at Istanbul Airport, marking the end of the first leg of the journey. But there was little time to rest, with the team required to connect to a flight to Dublin, Ireland within a short time.

At Istanbul, the team checked in at around 6:10am and boarded another Turkish Airlines plane scheduled to take off at 7:20am, with arrival in Dublin expected at approximately 9:25am.

There was only about 15 minutes between the scheduled arrival and the next check-in requirement, despite the considerable distance between the arrival point and the next departure area at Istanbul Airport. Fortunately, airport staff were already waiting shortly after the team left the aircraft and they quickly led the group through the airport to the waiting check-in area.

The tight connection meant that the teachers had to move quickly.  They had earlier been warned to prepare for plenty of walking, and the journey was already putting that preparation to the test.

A further four-and-a-half-hour flight from Istanbul to Dublin awaited the group. And after the long journey through and above the skies, they finally arrived at Dublin Airport to a rainy Irish morning.

From the left, teachers Richard Begura and Elisa Mfitundinda together with William Mwesigwa from the Embassy of Ireland in Uganda arriving at Dublin Airport

Teachers, education ministry officials, Ireland Embassy staff and a media team pose for a group photo at Dublin Airport

Despite the weather and the long journey, there was little time to stop.

The teachers then began the road journey from Dublin towards Limerick, located about 200 kilometres west of Dublin. Along the way, they made a brief stop for a bite at Supermac's, before continuing with the journey.

As they travelled, the team admired the Irish countryside, with its green landscape, sheep and cattle farms stretching out on both sides of the road.

Eventually, the long journey finally came to an end, with the group arriving in Limerick City, where they checked into George Hotel, a four-star facility located in the middle of the city.

From the left, John Eremu of the New Vision Foundation, Angella Athieno from the Embassy of Ireland in Uganda, and teachers Florence Nabasumba and Morris Wamuwaya standing in front of George Hotel after checking in

From Entebbe, through Istanbul and Dublin, and finally by road to Limerick, the first day had taken the team across continents, through multiple airports and thousands of kilometres.

After hours in the air and on the road, they had finally arrived in Ireland, ready to begin their week-long programme.

 The 12 Teachers Making a Difference winners of 2025 

▪️Alice Mary Birungi Baruga, Bombo Army Secondary School, Luwero
▪️Anna Lomonyang, Kangole Boys Primary School, Napak
▪️Dr Aisha Mbeya is the headteacher of Nalubaale Secondary School, Bugiri
▪️Morris Wamuwaya, Nabumali Boarding Primary School, Mbale
▪️Job Afeku, Yoro Primary School, Adjumani
▪️Stella Ejang, St Katherine Secondary School, Lira
▪️Arafat Ndiwa Chemasuet, Kalas Girls Primary, Amudat
▪️John Bosco Loibok, Karenga Boys Primary School, Karenga 
▪️ Richard Begura, Immaculate Heart Girls’ Sch, Rukungiri
▪️Tairi Fungaro, Yumbe Primary School, Yumbe
▪️Elisa Mfitundinda, Muramba Seed Secondary School, Kisoro
▪️Florence Nabasumba, St Peter's Nantabulirwa Primary School, Mukono