100 State House scholarships open new doors for Acholi’s disadvantaged students

For many young people in Uganda’s Acholi sub-region, the dream of attending university often fades long before it can become reality, as many miss out on available scholarships.

Poverty, the effects of past conflict, and the high cost of higher education have forced countless bright students to abandon their ambitions despite excellent academic performance.

Now, that dream is receiving renewed hope.

One hundred disadvantaged students from the nine districts of the Acholi sub-region have been selected to benefit from State House scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic year, a development that has been welcomed by families, local leaders, and education stakeholders as a life-changing opportunity for vulnerable youth.

The scholarship programme traces its origin to a meeting held last year between President Yoweri Museveni, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni, and Members of the Acholi Parliamentary Group.

During that meeting, the President pledged 100 scholarships to disadvantaged students from the region. District leaders were later tasked with identifying and submitting deserving beneficiaries for consideration before the final list is forwarded to the State House.

The list reflects students from Amuru, Agago, Pader, Lamwo, Kitgum, Omoro, Gulu district, Gulu City and Nwoya. They have been admitted to various universities across Uganda to pursue programmes ranging from Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Engineering, Agriculture, Education, Computer Science and Public Health to other professional courses.

For many of these students, the scholarship is far more than financial assistance. It represents freedom from uncertainty and a chance to rewrite the story of their families.

In rural villages across Acholi, parents often struggle to raise tuition fees even after selling crops, livestock or household property. Some students defer studies for years while others never enrol despite receiving university admission letters. For such families, a scholarship can mean the difference between lifelong poverty and a professional career.

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The beneficiaries also represent a diverse range of disciplines that are critical to the region’s development. Several students will study medicine, pharmacy and nursing—fields that could help address the shortage of health professionals in northern Uganda.

Others have chosen agriculture, engineering, environmental management and information technology, sectors that are increasingly important for improving livelihoods and creating employment opportunities.

Education experts say investing in disadvantaged learners has long-term benefits that extend beyond individual families. A university graduate is more likely to secure formal employment, support younger siblings through school and contribute to community development.

Many also return to serve their home districts as teachers, health workers, engineers or entrepreneurs.

Lamwo district

Lamwo district has eleven students on the proposed scholarship list. Jonathan Rubangakene from Padibe town council has been admitted to Gulu University to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

Christopher Rubangakene from Agoro has secured admission to St. Peter’s University for a Bachelor of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Alanyo Barbra Peace from Madi Opei town council will study Mechanical Engineering at Busitema University, while Aol Dolly from Madi Opei town council joins Muni University for a Bachelor of Agriculture.

Komakech Jacob from Lokung East has been admitted to Kampala International University (KIU) to pursue a Bachelor of Computer Science with Education.

Akena Lawrence from Palabek Kal will study a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Gulu University, while Okot Deo from Palabek Abera joins Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU) to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering.

Kimara Emmy Brian from Palabek Gem has been admitted to KIU for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, while Lakwonyero Benjamin from Palabek Kal will also pursue Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at KIU.

Komagum Calvin Roy from Aceba joins Uganda Martyrs University to study Bachelor of Science in Animal Production, while Agenorwot Joan Flavia from Palabek Gem has secured admission to Kyambogo University for a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering.

Kitgum district

Kitgum’s beneficiaries include Lucy Tolit Lanyero from Pandwong, admitted to KIU for a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

Jeff Bush George from Pager Division will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.

Achola Sunday from Pager Division joins Gulu University for Bachelor of Science in Agri-Entrepreneurship and Communication Management.

Other beneficiaries include Tekkwo Edmond Phillip (Victoria University – Public Health), Okello Trevor (ISBAT University – Applied Information Technology), Opira Churchill (Gulu University – Master of Public Health), Acan Oliver Mercy (Busitema University – Agriculture), Omara Stephen John (Gulu University – Pharmacy), Kawira Miriam (Kyambogo University – Accounting and Finance), Olanya Collines (Makerere University – Computer Science) and Ayero Cavin (Fin Medical University – Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery).

Agago district

Among Agago’s nominees are Maurice Ogenrwot (KIU – Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery), Atino Angella (KIU – Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery), Okello Moses (Gulu University – Bachelor of Science with Education), Otim Geoffrey (Gulu University – Biosystems Engineering), Okeny Peterson Knox (Kyambogo University – Clothing Technology), Akello Eunice (KIU – Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery), Alimocan Jenifer (Gulu University – Agri-Entrepreneurship and Communication Management).

Lajul Daniel (Makerere University – Master of General Surgery), Olanya Charles (Gulu University – Science Education), Ogwang Ronald (Gulu University – Agriculture) and Odonkara Patrick (Gulu University – Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery).

Amuru district

Students from Amuru include Brenda Lagum (KIU – Pharmacy), Kibwloa Moris (Gulu University – Agri-Entrepreneurship and Communication Management), Ocira Deogracious (Ndejje University – Forest Science and Management), Omara Sam (Gulu University – Science Education), Oweka Emmy (Muni University – Science with Education), Alimoker Babra (Busitema University – Agricultural Mechanisation and Irrigation Engineering), Odonkara Ambrose (Makerere University – Medicine and Surgery), Wokorach Geoffrey Odora (Earnest Cook University – Medical Imaging), Aparo Stella (Gulu University – Science with Education), Topaco Godfrey (Muni University – Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence) and Kilama Denish (Makerere University – Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology).

Pader district

Pader’s beneficiaries include Simon Peter Ogenrwot (Gulu University – Pharmacy), Mercy Agenorwot Lutem (Kyambogo University – Science with Education), Steven Okello (Gulu University – Pharmacy), Otto Joseph Justine (KIU – Environmental Management), Ochola Gods Mercy (KIU – Environmental Management), Oroma Raymond Max (KIU – Environmental Management), Adong Brandy Nicole (Mbarara University – Pharmacy), Kikoya Isaac (Gulu University – Science Education), Oruma Thomas (Gulu University – Science Education), Apuyu Vincent (St. Lawrence University – Telecommunication Engineering) and Atuk Grace (Makerere University – Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery).

Omoro district

Omoro District’s nominees include Okello Flavia (Gulu University – Agri-Entrepreneurship), Ogenrwot Adam (Gulu University – Science with Education), Lalim Kevin (Gulu University – Pharmacy), Lamaro Sonia Peace (Gulu University – Agriculture), Rubangakene Brian (KIU – Science with Education), Ojok Moses (Ndejje University – Software Engineering), Odong Moses (Muni University – Science Education), Laker Tracy Mildred (Gulu University – Food Bioscience and Agribusiness), Olarker Mohamed (Gulu University – Public Health), Rwothomiya Gabriel Jeff (Gulu University – Agriculture) and Akumu Rosebella (Kyambogo University – Human Nutrition and Dietetics).

Gulu district

The district list features Mercy Kamukama (Gulu University – Medicine and Surgery), Irene Ngole Anena (Gulu University – Science Education), Kerrie Ochiti Agenorwot (Mbarara University – Petroleum Engineering and Environmental Management), Achayo Sharon (Gulu University – Agri-Entrepreneurship), Shalom Ogenrwot (Gulu University – ICT), Apire Victor (KIU – Information Technology), Ocaya Deogracious (Gulu University – Biosystems Engineering), Opiyo Stephen Mark (Gulu University – Science Education), Ocen Brian (Gulu University – Biosystems Engineering), Okwir Daniel (Gulu University – Food Bioscience and Agribusiness) and Ocan Erick Stover (Gulu University – MSc Food Security and Community Nutrition).

Gulu city

Beneficiaries include Odongo Emanuel Anselmo (Bachelor of Applied Science – Chemistry), Watmon Jerry Emmanuel (Agriculture), Atim Henrieta (ICT), Rachkara Lawrence (ICT), Apara Pamela (Science Education), Omara Samuel Lawrence (Nursing Science), Rubangakene Elone (Medicine and Surgery), Opiyo Hassan Musa (Medicine and Surgery), Atim Fortunate Laker (Medical Laboratory Science), Opiyo Allan (Biosystems Engineering) and Lubangangeyo Joshua.

Nwoya district

Nwoya’s nominees include Aketowanga Sunday Tracy (Gulu University – Medicine and Surgery), Komakech Stephen (Applied Biological Sciences), Ajok Ketty (Agri-Entrepreneurship), Opiyo Roney Jimmy (Physical Education), Lakot Proscovia (Quantitative Economics), Ogenrwot Maxwell (Education – Mathematics and Economics), Kakanyero Gerald (Makerere University – Mechanical Engineering), Ocakacon Ronald Louis (KIU – Pharmacy), Omara Sam (Gulu University – Agriculture), Ojok Samuel (Kyambogo University – Oil and Gas Engineering) and Akello Teddy Patience (Clarke International University – Midwifery).

The Office of the Prime Minister has requested Members of Parliament to verify the names and confirm that all listed students belong to their respective districts before the final list is forwarded to State House for scholarship awards.

Any amendments, the ministry says, should only be made through consultations with district leadership because of the time-sensitive nature of the exercise.

Secretary for Human Capital Development, Lamwo district, Florence Atii, described the State House scholarship initiative as a timely intervention that will increase access to higher education for learners from disadvantaged families.

She said many bright students in Lamwo complete secondary school with excellent grades but fail to join university because of financial constraints.

According to her, the scholarships will enable deserving students to pursue professional careers and eventually contribute to the district’s socio-economic transformation.

Atii appealed to the beneficiaries to remain disciplined, work hard and use the opportunity to become responsible citizens who will return to serve their communities after graduation.

DEO of Lamwo district, Banabas Langoya, welcomed the programme, saying it demonstrates the importance of investing in young people through education.

He urged the selected students to value the opportunity by maintaining high academic standards and acting as ambassadors of the Acholi sub-region in their respective universities. He also encouraged the government to sustain and expand scholarship opportunities so that more vulnerable learners can benefit in the future.

Lamwo district LC5 chairperson, Oyet Sisto Ocen, praised the Government for fulfilling its commitment to support disadvantaged students in Acholi through the State House scholarship programme.

He said the initiative would help bridge educational inequalities and produce skilled professionals needed to improve service delivery in sectors such as health, education, agriculture and engineering.

Ocen called upon parents, local leaders and the beneficiaries themselves to ensure the opportunity is fully utilised, adding that investing in education remains one of the most effective ways to fight poverty and accelerate development in the district.

The district chairperson also expressed confidence that the beneficiaries would become role models for younger learners and inspire more students to pursue higher education despite the challenges they face.

If approved, the scholarships will open doors for 100 young Acholi students whose dreams of becoming doctors, engineers, teachers, pharmacists, scientists and innovators may have otherwise remained beyond reach due to financial hardship.

For many families, the programme represents not just an investment in education, but a renewed opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and contribute skilled professionals to the continued development of the Acholi sub-region.