UK scholarships a strategic investment for Uganda’s future

Leveraging the skills Commonwealth and Chevening scholars acquire from prestigious universities in the United Kingdom, the initiative represents a strategic investment in Uganda’s future, the British High Commissioner to Uganda, Lisa Chesney, has said.

According to Chesney, Ugandan scholars consistently stand out for their leadership during their time in the UK and upon return. Their work is helping to shape better public services, stronger institutions, and more resilient communities.

“A single UK scholarship can represent an investment of about £50,000. The combined Uganda Chevening and Commonwealth scholars can actually make an investment of about a million pounds,” disclosed Chesney.

She said this is a strong vote of confidence in Uganda's future leadership, in the changemakers and highly skilled graduates who will champion the country.

This year’s Chevening and Commonwealth scholars returned from universities including London School of Economics, University of Edinburgh, Sheffield and Leeds, among others.

Recognising exemplary scholars, Chesney commended Sandrah Kahumuza, a returning Chevening scholar who graduated from the University of Edinburgh with distinction. She won the best overall performance in the MSc Africa and International Development and received the Sam Shepherdson Award for the best MSc dissertation.

Additionally, Edwin Muramuzi, another Chevening scholar from Newcastle University, received an award as the best overall student and was selected as the graduation orator. He earned an MSc in Transport Engineering and Planning Management.

She made the remarks during a welcome-back reception for the 2024 cohort of returning Chevening and Commonwealth scholars held at the British High Commission residence in Nakasero on Wednesday.

During the reception, alumni shared a jovial moment with the British High Commissioner and the Head of the UK Scholarship Unit, Dr Emma Hennessey.

A total of seventeen Chevening and 25 Commonwealth scholars have completed master’s and doctoral studies from some of the leading universities in the UK.

Chesney noted that Uganda is one of the UK’s strongest and fastest-growing scholarship partners. “In 2025, Chevening applications from Uganda reached a record of 2,600, more than double the typical annual average of 1,200, a clear sign of rising ambition and trust in UK higher education.”

She added that Uganda also has one of the most established Commonwealth alumni communities in Africa, with over 1,700 Ugandans benefiting from the programme since the 1960s.

Because of the skills alumni attained in the UK, they are transforming their training into meaningful national impact. Chevening alumni are currently managing projects in inclusive education, refugee upskilling in Kampala, and waste management leadership development.

Addressing alumni, Hennessey said, “Uganda’s scholars and alumni are among the most dynamic in our global community. Their innovation and passion for positive change are inspiring. UK scholarships exist to empower leaders who will transform their societies, and Uganda continues to produce exactly that calibre of talent.

Addressing the 2024 cohort, the president of the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Alumni Association of Uganda, Patrick Micheal Okeng, told scholars that although they left as ambitious individuals, they have returned as global citizens equipped with world-class expertise.

Whether they were Commonwealth Scholars, Fellows or Chevening Scholars, Okeng said they were selected because of their potential to drive change.

"You have seen how global systems operate, and now you bring those perspectives back to Uganda. Returning home can sometimes feel daunting. You might see challenges in our systems that feel more visible now than before you left. But I urge you: do not let that transition lead to frustration or depression, let it lead to innovation.” Okeng told the 2024 cohort.

Cynthia Nagasha, a graduate from the University of York, said that while in the UK, she acquired knowledge on evidence-based practices, recent interventions and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Nagasha, who graduated with a Master’s of Science in Development Disorders and Clinical Practice, said the skills she attained are building on her background in Uganda, where she studied a bachelor’s degree in speech therapy.

“The skills that I attained in the UK are building on the background that I had in Uganda, having studied a bachelor’s of speech therapy. In the UK, you see speech therapists, Allied health professionals, and teachers all working together to support autistic children. They also create programmes that help these children thrive,” stated Nagasha.

She pledged to partner with different professionals to empower parents and raise awareness, noting that some parents in Uganda still neglect children with autism.

Joshua Ochiba Opio, a Commonwealth Scholar (2024–2025), plans to turn Uganda’s biomass waste into a climate and energy opportunity.

“Having gained valuable knowledge and research experience over the years, my goal is to address Uganda’s energy access, waste management, and climate change challenges through the utilisation of waste biomass resources such as agricultural residues and aquatic weeds, combined with advanced conversion technologies,” Opio stated.

Opio, a graduate from the University of Leeds, received the Advanced Chemical Engineering Prize for the best overall performance in the MSc programme.

In the short term, he plans to collaborate with research institutions, industry partners and government agencies to support pilot projects that convert biomass into useful energy products such as bio-oil, syngas and biochar.

He said these projects could support Uganda’s climate change mitigation efforts, noting that untreated biomass releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

“I hope to contribute to establishing local bioenergy industries in Uganda. By promoting sustainable biomass utilisation and advanced conversion technologies, Uganda could create new employment opportunities, strengthen energy security, and support environmentally responsible economic development.” Opio concluded.