Umukuuka III Jude Mike Mudoma.
By I.P. reporter.
His Highness Umukuuka III Jude Mike Mudoma has announced his commitment to providing scholarships for learners in his kingdom, aiming to address ignorance and poverty.
Speaking at the launch of the Nabajerema Foundation in Mbale City last week, Umukuuka III praised education officials in the Bugisu region for their efforts to enforce government policies, including the requirement for students and teachers to be in school by 7 AM from Monday to Friday.
According to sources from the archives of Mbale, Bududa, Namisindwa, and Manafwa District Local Governments (DLGs), many district education officers are experienced educators.
Notable figures include Madam Lydia Musungu of Mbale and Madam Betty Khainza of Bududa, who have played significant roles in regional education.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Bamasaaba community received fully funded scholarships through the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU), which supported students studying both locally and abroad.
However, with the current weakened state of the union, scholarship opportunities have diminished.
Meanwhile, the Bunyoro Kingdom continues to make strides in education.
Florence Mugasha, one of its citizens, was offered a scholarship to attend the University of Dar es Salaam in the 1960s, though she declined for personal reasons.
Another notable beneficiary, Dr. Rwamirimo Nkurekenda, received a scholarship in the 1930s.
In gratitude, he later composed Ekizina ky’ihanga ya Bunyoro, the Bunyoro cultural anthem, and went on to achieve a doctorate and serve in various roles within Uganda.
Many Bamasaaba have proposed that there be a shift in scholarship distribution, suggesting that Inzu ya Masaba, the cultural institution, take on this role rather than the politically-influenced leadership of the Bugisu Cooperative Union.
By collaborating with public universities such as Makerere, Kyambogo, Gulu, and Busitema, as well as private institutions like UCU, Lira, and KIU, the ‘Inzu ya Masaaba’ aims to provide fair access to educational support.
The cultural institution currently tracks approximately 100,000 learners per district, a number that grows annually.
In Bududa District alone, there are roughly 70,000 learners across various levels of education, excluding university students.
This high number, averaging between 70,000 and 100,000 learners per district, reflects the pressing need for continued support.
Umukuuka III emphasized that this initiative is not just about enhancing the institution’s standing ;it is a testament to the power of education to uplift vulnerable communities.
By following the example set by the Bunyoro kingdom, which has historically supported figures like Mugasha and Dr. Nkurekenda, the Inzu ya Masaaba Kingdom seeks to ensure that the next generation has access to the resources they need to succeed.
Ambassador of Umukuuka to Kenya Phillip Wanyonyi Wekesa said that the scholarship program should extend to Bamasaaba in Kenya since the community is domiciled in both Kenya and Uganda.
Ends.
