Gen. Saleh launches foundation to support education in West Nile

ADJUMANI - Senior Presidential Advisor on Defence and Security, also the head Operation Wealth Creation, General Caleb Akandwanaho aka Salim Saleh, on Friday launched the Jewel Education Foundation in the West Nile sub-region.

Jewel Michael Foundation for Education launch took place in Adjumani district on September 5, 2025, at Paridi stadium, officiated by Gen Salim as the chief guest.
General Saleh, who is also the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, contributed sh35m as a start pack for the foundation and pledged to support the initiative through the  OWC programs.

The Jewel Michael Foundation, launched in Adjumani district, is aimed at uplifting educational standards in the sub-region.

Key personalities who attended the launch included: the second deputy Prime Minister, Rt. Gen Moses Ali, Gen Charles Otema Awany, commander of reserve forces, the paramount chief of Madi Simon Surubaru, and the woman MP Adjumani Jessica Ababiku.

The event highlighted the educational struggles in the region, such as high school dropout rates, teenage pregnancies, and child marriages.

The brains behind the foundation, Jewel Michael, who recently represented Uganda as the second runner-up in the miss teen universe 2024/2025 pageant in India, says the foundation will provide scholarships to 500 children, upgrade facilities in ten schools, and improve sanitation in schools, among others.

Queen Jewel Michael receives Gen. Salim Salel at the Paridi Stadium ahead of the launch of the Education campaign in Adjumani district. (Credit: Tasia Doreen)

“Household poverty is a significant contributor to school dropout in the region, and the region being ranked second to Karamoja in terms of poverty is a concern for all of us, and that is the reason I initiated the idea of the foundation, such that we can be able to support some of the most vulnerable learners in our schools,” said Jewel.

Maj Gen (Rt) Michael Ondoga, the executive director of the Jewel Michael Foundation, also the regional coordinator Operation Wealth Creation, explained that education is a critical tool for social transformation and development.

At the same event, Gen Otema Charles Awany, the commander of the reserve forces, appreciated Ondonga's family for extending their achievement to the entire West Nile region.

“To my people of West Nile and Adjumani in particular, please let us support this foundation, it is for all of us, for the future of this region and the nation, because we have suffered a lot with insurgencies, and as a result, many of our children did not go far with education”, Otema said.

The Member of Parliament for Ayivu division East constituency, Geoffrey Feta, called for support of all efforts to address poverty, the leading cause of school dropouts.

“The dropout rate is not because government has not done anything, but it is because the poverty at the household level is high, so let us address the household poverty because the government has constructed the schools, but the parents cannot afford to send their children to the schools or support them, so this foundation is timely," said Feta.

A total of sh53m was also contributed by the leaders at the launch of the foundation.