Celebrations were in order today as the Chevening Alumni Association of Uganda was officially launched at the British High Commissioner’s residence.
Chevening is the UK government’s international scholarship scheme aimed at developing global leaders and has been running since 1983. In Uganda there are over 240 Chevening beneficiaries but this is the first time an organised alumni body has been set up. The newly launched association will help advance and promote the Chevening in Uganda and provide a platform for professional networking and interaction.
Speaking at the launch, British High Commissioner to Uganda Peter West said
‘I am delighted to launch the Chevening Alumni Association of Uganda. A key part of the Chevening scholarship is the requirement for scholars to return to Uganda at the conclusion of their course to ensure the investment in the individual is also an investment in Uganda. I hope this association will be a catalyst for Alumni coming together to see what more they have to offer Uganda.
Notable Ugandan Chevening alumni include Eldard Kansiime (1983), University of Kent; Dr Livingstone Sewanyana (1999), University of Essex; Honourable Miria Matembe (1996) University of Warwick; Andrew Mwenda (1999), School of Oriental and African Studies; Helen Kaweesa (2000), University of Essex; and Dr Brian Ngwatu (2015) London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Mr Mukwatampola Muzamil, Assistant Commissioner for Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Sports, who also attended the launch event, said:
‘We welcome scholarships like Chevening, which provide our professionals with the skills and knowledge to make a difference. As the Ministry of Education, we recognise the long-term benefits Chevening has in Uganda, in terms of economic development, with a work force that has studied at some of the best universities in the UK. I want to congratulate the Chevening alumni on the launch of the association today and wish you every success’.
Speaking on behalf of the Alumni Helen Kaweesa, Acting Parliament Director Communication and Public Relations Affairs at said:
‘We are delighted that this Association has finally been formed. We have a pool of talent and skills within the Ugandan Chevening Alumni, which I am confident will make a difference. I hope this association will unite us further and ably equip us to mentor the next wave of Cheveners from Uganda as well as implement impactful projects’.
Key Stakeholders were in attendance of this launch including officials from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, media CEO’s, other associations and the media.
