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Relaunch of the Irish Aid Bursary Scheme for Karamoja

The Ambassador of Ireland to Uganda, H.E. Dónal Cronin, this evening re-launched the Irish Aid Bursary Scheme for Karamoja at a special ceremony at Mount Moroto Hotel.

Ireland has been proud to support the bursary scheme for over 10 years, targeting vulnerable, Karimojong children. Over 1,750 students from the region have benefited from these bursaries since the scheme commenced in 2005, 65% of whom are girls.

The Embassy is now beginning implementation of a new Country Strategy Paper for 2016-2020, which has a special focus on Karamoja and will support social protection, governance, HIV prevention and education. Under the scheme, Irish Aid provides tuition, scholastic materials, transport to and from school, plus HIV/AIDS information for students at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Speaking directly to the bursary students attending the event, the Ambassador stated that:

"It is our intention that this Irish Government funded bursary scheme will continue to provide educational opportunities to you and many in your communities, empowering you to achieve your dreams, as well as equipping the next generation of Karamojong for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead"

The Ambassador thanked the new Minister for Karamoja Hon. John Byabagambi, for re-launching the scheme with him, and assured him of the Irish Government commitment to work with the Government of Uganda in delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Uganda and in the Karamoja sub region in particular.