2024 Intake
Watenga Bridget
Bridget, a native of Bududa district in Eastern Uganda spent all her high school years at Kyaddondo Secondary School, Matugga, and her story throughout the six years is one of excellence which included being awarded full bursaries for her outstanding performance. At O’ Level, with aggregate 8 in 8, she was ranked among the best-performing students in the country and excelled at A’ Level with 16 points in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Raised by a single mother who is currently facing health challenges and unable to support her, Bridget has also received support from her grandmother who is based in Entebbe.
Bridget aspires to become a neurosurgeon and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Kabale University of Science and Technology.
Ngong Panchol Aleir
Aleir, a South Sudanese refugee in Uganda, completed his secondary education at St. Juliana High School, supported by bursaries awarded for both academic performance and financial need. At O’ Level, he scored aggregate 11 in 8 and an impressive 17 points at A’ Level in Biology Chemistry, and Physics.
His father is a retired soldier in South Sudan, and his uncle provided basic support throughout his secondary education, though this could not be extended to university due to the bigger financial implications. His mother supports Aleir and his 4 other siblings through a small business she runs in the Arua refugee camp.
By the time he was awarded the scholarship, Aleir had not yet reported to the university, having lost hope of securing funding. He is now enrolled at Makerere University Kampala, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Pharmacy. Aleir aspires to be a Pharmacist and be part of the change he hopes, both in South Sudan and Uganda.
Agenorwot Kedrine
Kedrine, the eldest of four children, hails from Kitgum District in Northern Uganda. She attended Kigumba Intensive Secondary School in Kiryandongo on a bursary for her A’ Level studies where she scored 17 points in History, Economics, and Divinity, demonstrating significant improvement from her O’ Level results, where she scored aggregate 39 in 8 at Hope Comprehensive School, Gulu. Her O’ Level performance was impacted by the loss of her father shortly before her final exams.
She is cared for by her single mother, who works in the informal sector in Gulu. Unfortunately, due to the significant financial implications of pursuing a bachelor’s degree, her mother could not meet the tuition required.
Kedrine is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree at Gulu University and her admiration for the power that the law has in transforming countries and communities is her inspiration for choosing this degree. She hopes to become a successful lawyer and bring such transformation to her community and the country.
Musiime Jonathan Kabeza
Jonathan, born and bred in Luweero in Central Uganda, is the youngest of three children. He attended Luweero Secondary School for six years, where he scored aggregate 15 in 8 at O’ Level and 16 points in Physics, Agriculture, and Mathematics at A’ Level. Due to his outstanding academic performance, he was awarded a full bursary for his A’ Level studies.
He was raised by a single mother, who is a small business owner in Luweero. His father passed away when he was young.
Captivated by the power of technology at a young age, Jonathan always knew that he would pursue a technology-related course if he ever had a chance to further his education after high school. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Software Engineering at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Gumisiriza Brian Karungi
Brian, from Bushenyi District in Western Uganda, completed his O’ Level studies at Light Secondary School, Nyabubare, where he excelled with aggregate 9 in 8. He attended St. Michael High School, Rugazi, for A’ Level, excelling with 16 points in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
Raised by his widowed mother, a subsistence farmer, Brian and his family have worked together to sustain themselves through small-scale agriculture.
Brian has a strong desire to contribute to the care that the chronically ill and ageing receive, and his pursuit of a Bachelor of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at Kabale University will bring him closer to that dream.
Kunyiga David
David, the 13th of 20 children, hails from Luweero District in Central Uganda. He scored aggregate 10 in 8 at O’ Level from Kakoola High School, Wobulenzi and 16 points in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics at A’ Level from Cornerstone Leadership Academy.
His parents struggled to support him through his secondary education, but fortunately, due to his consistent academic excellence, David received bursaries that eased the burden. However, for university, his father expressed an inability to continue supporting him after the family land they relied on was taken away.
David is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine at Kabale University, and he hopes that with this degree, he will be able to save lives once he is a doctor.
Biryomuriwe Samuel
Samuel, the only son and 8th of 10 children, comes from Rukungiri District in Western Uganda. He excelled with aggregate 10 in 8 at O’ Level from Standard College, Ntungamo, and 17 points at A’ Level in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics.
His parents are aged and his older sisters are only able to provide basic support and not his university tuition.
Samuel has always dreamed of being a doctor, and he is over the moon that he now has the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Kabale University.
Dibworo Ronald
Ronald, from Tororo District in Eastern Uganda, is the second of nine children. He excelled with aggregate 14 in 8 at O’ Level and 16 points at A’ Level in Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics from Great Aubrey Memorial College in Tororo. His secondary education was largely funded by bursaries awarded for his academic excellence.
His mother is unemployed, and his father works as a primary school teacher where he earns a meagre salary. At the time of applying for the METL Scholarship, Ronald had completed his first year at Mbarara University of Science and Technology, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy with a CGPA of 3.81 (Second Class Upper). To finance his first year, he used savings from teaching during vacation, and his family sold property to help cover the costs.
Having exhausted his savings and any additional funds from his family, Ronald had run out of options to enable him to continue with his degree. The opportunity to continue pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy is one he jumped onto with both feet as he can now focus on completing his degree at Mbarara University of Science and Technology without worrying about where the tuition will come from. He hopes to contribute to the care that athletes and people suffering physical injuries receive once he is a Physiotherapist.
Mujurizi Lawrence
Lawrence, a native of Ibanda district in Western Uganda, attended Ibanda Secondary School for O’ Level where he scored aggregate 21 and Mbarara High School for A’ Level where he scored 9 points in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. He completed his undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science in Food Processing Technology from Kyambogo University with a Second-Class Honors and a post-graduate degree in Hospital and Healthcare Management from Uganda Management Institute with a First Class.
Having lost his father while he was quite young, his mother and brother supported him through secondary school and his undergraduate degree. His post-graduate degree was self-funded. While he had dreams of pursuing a master’s degree, he was unable to fund his study.
Lawrence is currently pursuing a master’s degree in food safety and quality management at Makerere University Kampala.
Sr. Winifred Tumuheirwe
Sr. Winifred was born in Kabale District, in Western Uganda, as one of eight children. She attended St. Thereza Girls’ School in Masindi for her O’ Level studies, where she scored aggregate 28. She then completed her A’ Level education at Uphill Secondary School in Mbuya, scoring 6 points in History, Economics, and Geography.
Determined to improve her academic performance, Sr. Winifred pursued a Diploma in Journalism at Nkumba University, where she studied for two years before advancing to a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at the same institution. She graduated with Second Class Upper Honors at both levels.
Her passion for higher education led her to St. Augustine University of Tanzania, where she completed a Master’s Degree in Journalism, graduating with First class. This achievement enabled her to teach Public Relations and Mass Communication at Kisubi University.
Raised in Kamwenge by parents who, though supportive, had limited financial resources, Sr. Winifred’s educational journey was significantly supported by the White Fathers, who assisted her in completing her Master’s Degree. Funds from her congregation, the Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu, along with her personal savings, helped her pursue her Postgraduate studies. It wasn’t until the final year of her Postdoctoral Degree that she was unable to continue funding her education independently.
Currently, Sr. Winifred is working toward a PhD in Media and Climate Change. Her research focuses on the impact of climate change in the Karamoja region of Uganda, with a particular emphasis on its effects on women and girls in rural communities. As she nears the completion of her PhD, Sr. Winifred hopes her work will contribute to positive change in the lives of these communities and bring attention to critical issues related to climate and gender in Uganda.