FCA and UNHCR supported students shine in Uganda’s examinations
Uganda recently released the results of the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) examinations, which are the final exams students take before progressing to university for higher education. The exams are taken at the end of Advanced level (A-Level) studies, marking the completion of secondary education.
AMONG THE successful candidates are exceptional students from refugee settlements who have overcome significant challenges to achieve academic excellence. Here, we celebrate six students supported by FCA whose hard work led to impressive grades in their exams.
Abdinasir dreams of becoming a civil engineer
In 2013, Abdinasir Salad Muse and his family fled Somalia, passing through Kenya before finding safety in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Isingiro District, Western Uganda.
Raised by a single mother in a family of six, life as a refugee was extremely challenging. “Life is hard in the settlement. My mother can barely take care of all of us and pay school fees,” Abdinasir shares.
Despite these hardships, he remained focused on his education. With support from a partial scholarship from UNHCR, Abdinasir completed his lower secondary examinations known as Ordinary levels (O-Levels) at Nakivale Secondary School in 2022.
With support from Finn Church Aid (FCA) and UNHCR, Abdinasir was awarded a full scholarship to pursue Advanced Level studies (A-Level) at Mbarara High School in Mbarara District. Motivated by his interest in science and technology, he chose to specialize in PEM/ICT (Physics, Economics, Mathematics, and Information Communication Technology), setting the foundation for his dream of becoming a civil engineer.
His hard work has paid off, as he achieved an outstanding 19 out of 20 points in the recently released UACE examinations.
“I have always wanted to be a civil engineer, so I worked hard to achieve my dream. I hope to pursue a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at the university once given the opportunity,” he says.
“If it wasn’t for UNHCR and FCA, I wouldn’t have made it this far. They supported us through the hardest times not just with education but also with encouragement and advice,” he says.
His message to fellow refugee learners is: “Education is not easy, but if you keep pushing, all is possible. Never give up, stay focused, and success will come.”
Brighton is focused on achieving his future goals
Tuyizere Brighton, 24, was born and raised in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Growing up in a family of five, financial struggles were an everyday reality, but Brighton refused to let these challenges hold him back.
He went to Nakivale Secondary School for his O-levels after receiving a partial scholarship. He performed well and this earned him a place at Mbarara High School, where he pursued PEM/ICT (Physics, Economics, Mathematics, ICT) and, like Abdinasir, achieved an impressive 19 points at A-Level. He is eager to join university and pursue his dreams.
“I am grateful to my parents, especially my mother, who always provided for me with the little she had,” Brighton shares.
“FCA and UNHCR have also played a big role in my education, and I hope they can help me achieve my dream of joining university.”
His advice to other students is: “Work hard and make the most of every opportunity to learn. If you remain focused, you can pass well and secure a bright future, even as a refugee.”
Alphonse pursues his passion for statistics
Alphonse Nshimiyimana, 24, fled conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010 and sought refuge in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Despite the challenges of his new life, Alphonse remained determined to succeed academically.
With a partial scholarship from UNHCR, he completed his O-Level studies at Nakivale Secondary School. He then got a scholarship to study at Citizens Secondary School in Ibanda district, where he studied Mathematics, Economics, and Entrepreneurship (MEE) at A-Level. Alphonse also achieved an impressive 19 out of 20 points in the UACE exams.
“The scholarship pushed me to work even harder. I didn’t want to disappoint FCA and UNHCR,” Alphonse explains. “Their support gave us the morale to push through.”
With a passion for numbers, Alphonse hopes to pursue a degree in Statistics and become a statistician. His advice to fellow learners is: “Hard work pays, and prayer is important. With determination, you can achieve your goals in life.”
Emme hopes to give a voice to the voiceless
Kamariza Emme, 19, fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2014 with her parents and two siblings to escape tribal conflicts. They settled in Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement in southwestern Uganda.
Emme began her studies at Kyempango Primary School and later joined Rwamwanja Secondary School for her O-Level education. In Senior Three, she received a partial UNHCR scholarship through FCA.
With further assistance from European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and a UNHCR/FCA scholarship, Emme returned for her A-Level studies in 2023, focusing on History, Divinity, Kiswahili, and ICT. She scored 12 points in her UACE exams.
Emme dreams of studying Law at the university level. “I want to stand up against injustice and help others, especially those without a voice,” she says.
Daniel’s vision is to improve infrastructure
Daniel Niringiyimana fled DRC to Uganda in 2012 with his mother and three siblings, initially arriving at the Nyakabande transit center before being relocated to Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement.
In 2018, he began his secondary education at Rwamwanja Secondary School on a partial UNHCR-supported scholarship, combined with a school bursary that covered the remaining fees. He thrived academically, achieving an exceptional 27 aggregates in his Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams in 2022, earning a first grade.
He was the second-best student in the settlement, and his excellent results in science subjects opened doors for further education outside the settlement.
Through UNHCR and FCA’s support, Daniel joined St. Elizabeth Nkoowe in Wakiso district in 2023. There, he specialized in PEM/ICT for his A-Level studies and scored 15 points in his examinations.
“I want to do Structural Engineering at the university if given the opportunity. I want to help design better infrastructures to improve lives in refugee settlements and beyond,” he says.
Philip’s passion for teaching
Niyonzima Phillip, a 23-year-old from Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2012 with his mother and two siblings.
Phillip started O-Level studies ain 2018 Rwamwanja Secondary School. During the second term of Senior One, he received a UNHCR scholarship through FCA, which helped support his education. By 2022, he had successfully completed his O-Level exams.
In 2023, Phillip transferred to Ntenungi Secondary School for A-Level studies under partial UNHCR/FCA scholarship. He studied History, Entrepreneurship, Kiswahili, and ICT. Later in 2024, he returned to Rwamwanja Secondary School for Senior Six after receiving a European Union (EU) scholarship. That same year, he sat for his Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams, scoring an impressive 14 points.
Phillip has a passion for teaching and shaping the future of others. He aspires to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Education at the university level. Currently, he is teaching History and Entrepreneurship at St. Paul Secondary School in Ibanda.
“Teaching allows me to inspire and guide students, just as others guided me,” he says
FCA and UNHCR create opportunities for refugee learners
FCA and UNHCR are making a difference by providing scholarships to bright but financially disadvantaged refugee students. Their support enables learners to access quality education, helping them to overcome barriers and pursue their dreams.
Text: Linda Kabuzire
Images: Briphin Ampurire and Timothy Atwine/ FCA