Africa-Press – Uganda. The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda Chapter has extended the deadline for the 2025/2026 Mastercard Foundation-funded Higher Education Access Program (HEAP-II) bursaries to Friday, 6 June 2025, in a move aimed at increasing access to education for the most disadvantaged groups in Uganda.
The extension comes in response to a low number of applications, particularly from target districts and vulnerable groups such as refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons with disabilities.
It will also cater for additional districts to be covered under the program.
“The turn was low from the districts and we are also targeting refugees and people with disabilities,” noted Allan Erasmus Ongom, the application process coordinator in central region.
“If we don’t hit this target, we shall not have taken the right category of people.”
Uganda is home to the largest refugee population in Africa, with over 1.5 million refugees mainly from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi.
Many of these live in rural settlements where access to quality secondary and tertiary education is limited.
In addition, only 13% of persons with disabilities aged 15 and above have attained secondary education or higher, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS).
Factors such as poverty, stigma, long distances to schools, and lack of assistive devices further restrict access to education for these communities.
“We value these people, refugees, internally displaced communities, and people with disabilities. We are calling on you to apply for this life-changing opportunity,” Ongom said.
The FAWE bursary initiative is part of a seven-year scholarship program (2024–2030) designed to support academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young women and men across Sub-Saharan Africa.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, 700 bursaries will be awarded: 500 for the Higher Education Access Certificate (HEAC) and 200 for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
The scholarship prioritises young women (80%) and young men (20%).
In a bid to reach more underserved communities, FAWE Uganda has expanded the program’s geographical coverage to include the following districts: Bulambuli, Gulu, Ibanda, Kabale, Kagadi, Kalangala, Kapelebyong, Kyeggegwa, Lira, Pakwach, Koboko, and Rubirizi.
Despite progress in expanding access to education in Uganda, significant disparities remain.
Over 4 million children are estimated to be out of school, and transition rates to secondary and tertiary levels are still low in rural and conflict-affected areas.
Scholarships like those offered by FAWE are seen as a critical bridge for many young people stuck in the poverty-education cycle.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the new deadline.
More information and application guidelines can be found on the FAWE Uganda website at www.faweuganda.org.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
