The International Community of the Banyakigezi (ICOB) commits to supporting the needy girl students

The international community of the Banyakigezi –(ICOB) Uganda Chapter has committed to supporting at least one needy girl student from each of the six Districts of greater Kigezi. This was announced in a meeting that was held on the 1^st of October 2022 between the ICOB Executive Committee and the Kabale University Management. The meeting held at the Kabale University main Campus on Kikungiri hill was attended physically by some members of the ICOB Executive Committee, while other members participated virtually.

The scholarships shall be under the ‘Ngorogoza Girls Education Fund’ and they shall be hosted at Kabale University. The decision to host such a timely and community-uplifting scheme was welcomed by the University Management led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Joy Kwesiga. She welcomed the ICOB Executive Committee to the University and thanked them for choosing Kabale University to host this scholarship. Kwesiga highlighted the dire need that many underprivileged families have to access much-needed education. So, this ICOB intervention is a very timely welcome not only for the Kigezi region but for the whole country in growing the human resource capacity.

The Vice Chancellor explained how the University in the past implemented the work and study arrangement under the ‘Karibwije scheme’. She was glad that the members of the Executive Committee were able to come and visit the University. The Chairperson of the ICOB Executive Committee presented the key objectives of ICOB. He highlighted the issue of scholarships to needy students as one of the key issues they planned to commit to and fulfil this year.

In the meeting, the members discussed the programmes that will be eligible for the scholarship under this scheme and the criteria for the selection of the needy beneficiaries. This Ngorogoza scholarship shall cater for all the fees obligations of the selected students. At the start, only one beneficiary shall be selected and the scheme shall over time be expanded. The ‘Banyakigezi’ living in the other regions of Uganda such as Tooro kingdom, Buganda, Ankole, Bunyoro shall also be eligible in the subsequent years. In this inaugural year, only those living currently in Kigezi and the Toro kingdom shall be considered under the scheme.

In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs highlighted the importance of this scholarship and pointed out its uniqueness. The Chairperson of ICOB Ms Grace Mutebile was grateful that this idea that was borne years before is now at the level of implementation. She reiterated Banyakigezi’s commitment to getting the needy students supported. Among the other issues discussed was the aspect of sustainability of the scholarship and transparency.

The criteria for eligibility for this programme is:

• They must be female students from any of the six districts of Kigezi that’s; Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Rubanda, Rukiga and Kisoro.
• They are those who originate from Kigezi but whose parents live in other districts and Kingdoms of Uganda in Ankole, Tooro, Bunyoro, Buganda among others. (NOTE: Only Tooro will benefit from this scholarship this academic year).
• They must have attended and completed the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent.
• They Must meet the Academic requirements of the University and the specific programmes applied for.
• They Must have applied for or been admitted to any of the undergraduate programmes offered by Kabale University.
• Above all they Must be the most deserving female student in terms of socio-economic background.

A deadline of 15^th October that was set for the application is fast approaching.

The meeting was welcomed by the two parties and they agreed to ensure the continuity of the Ngorogoza scholarship fund.