Due to rising poverty levels, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Uganda is appealing for Shs 4 billion to support 1,200 vulnerable children with school fees and essential learning materials.
Although the government reopened schools for the 2026 academic year on February 10, many learners remain at home, unable to afford the costs of education. FAWE Uganda, known for its long- standing philanthropic work, has seen a surge of parents and learners seeking help.
In response, the organization has rolled out a Shs 20,000 monthly campaign, encouraging well-wishers to contribute toward keeping disadvantaged young people in school.
FAWE Uganda’s Shs 20,000 monthly campaign aims to ensure that more children, especially girls, stay in school, gain education, and build a better future for themselves and their communities.
FAWE Uganda has consistently prioritized girls’ education, highlighting persistent inequalities in access to learning opportunities. Despite global emphasis on science and innovation, girls in Uganda remain significantly underrepresented in these fields.
According to Susan Opok Tumusiime, the executive director of FAWE Uganda, only 28% of women are in science-related careers.
“We are working with various stakeholders to create more opportunities for women and girls in science,” she said.
Tumusiime said barriers start at the family level, with cultural norms often discouraging girls from pursuing higher education or scientific studies. Many girls drop out due to teenage pregnancy, financial hardship, long distances to school, and limited parental capacity to pay fees.
“Many parents cannot afford education for all their children. When families must choose, girls especially in rural areas are the ones left behind,” she said.
Statistics show that 28% of young people in rural areas drop out of school, with the gap widening significantly at secondary level.
A recent case highlights the urgency: a Senior Two student at risk of dropping out due to unpaid Shs 120,000 in school fees approached FAWE Uganda for help. Over the past few years, FAWE Uganda has supported more than 2,000 young people, mostly at higher education level.
The organization also runs mentorship, exposure, and follow-up programs to ensure students transition successfully into work and adulthood.
“Education is an equalizer. Every child has a right to education, whether in rural or urban areas. If these young people are denied school, it affects the entire society,” Tumusiime said.
Grace Achire, a FAWE Uganda board member, urged Ugandans to contribute to keep learners in school.
“Even a monthly Shs 20,000 can change a young person’s life. Supporting a girl in school helps her transform her community. We do not want to see girls pushed into prostitution or trafficking due to desperation,” Achire said.
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