The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
On 24th June 2024, Dr Safinah Museene Kisu on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports wrote to the LCV Chairperson of Luwero informing him of a provisional list of nine students selected from the district to benefit from the government sponsorship under the district quota admission’s scheme in academic year 2024/2025.
Museene requested the Chairman to verify the students selected after indicating Luwero as the district of origin and they studied Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in the area. She added that issuing the admission letters to the applicants will depend on verifying the applicant’s information before 16th July 2024.
Among the selected beneficiaries from Luwero district are Angella Nakwanyi, Swaburah Nakiyingi, Faridah Nakiwala, Annet Nagadya, Shalom Nantume, Benon Tumusiime, Deborah Kisakye Najjibwa, Arafat Ssozi and Sylvia Kasuunu.
The beneficiaries are from Munta Royal College, Luwero SS, Everest College, Busiika Muslim SS, Bombo SS, Luteete SS, and Ssaku SS.
Erastus Kibirango the LCV Chairperson of Luwero district said that upon verification, three out of nine students were not eligible for the scheme.
Kibirango says that the students through with the help of the teachers sought recommendations from LCI Chairpersons where the schools are located. He added that the students later admitted to him that their parents didn’t reside or were born in the district.
Kibirango says that he will write to the Education Ministry asking it to replace the students with others from Luwero district.
He also warned the chairpersons and teachers to desist from issuing recommendation letters to students who are not born or whose parents don’t reside within their communities.
Kibirango says that in the future, teachers and LCI Chairpersons will be held accountable as individuals if they detect more cases on the district quota scheme.
One parent when contacted admitted that he lives in Wakiso district but the child should be considered on the scheme since he lives with his brother in Luwero town council something local authorities disputed after failing to confirm it.
Another beneficiary admitted on the phone he lived in Hoima but pursued studies in Luwero and asked that he be considered for the offer.
But some of the beneficiaries Deborah Kisakye Najjibwa and Sylvia Kasuunu whose parents were traced within Luwero town welcomed the offer saying it would relieve them of the stress of hunting for fees.
Najjibwa has been admitted to Makerere University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Kasuunu will pursue a Bachelor of Journalism and Communication at the same university.
Najjibwa has been studying on a bursary at Everest College where she scored 16 points in UACE.
Sarah Namubiru a resident of Kasana PIIDA zone in Luwero town was excited upon learning that her granddaughter had been selected to benefit from the scheme.
Namubiru said that it’s a great move by the district to verify the selected beneficiaries to ensure the opportunity doesn’t go to nonresidents.
The approved students now are waiting to pick up admission letters from Makerere, Lira, and Kyambogo universities where they were selected on the district quota scheme.
