Four refugee students head from Uganda to Belgium thanks to EU-funded and transnational programme, supported by FCA
The Belgium EUPW Scholarship Programme is a collaborative effort between UNHCR Uganda, the Ugandan Government, the Government of Belgium, Finn Church Aid – Uganda, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), and Caritas Belgium.
This innovative initiative offers refugee students the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at leading Belgian universities, with comprehensive support covering tuition, living expenses, accommodation, travel, language assistance, and orientation services.
Four exceptional refugee youth
In August 2024, four exceptional refugee youth were selected to pursue their studies in Belgium. They all fled the Democratic Republic of Congo at various times for Uganda due to the ongoing conflict and instability in the country.
Ruhamanga Mwami, 35, fled to Uganda in 2018. Starting a new life in a foreign land was tough, but he persevered. In the capital city, Kampala, he found work with an internet company, earning just enough to survive.
Determined to make a difference, Ruhamanga applied for the Belgium EUPW Scholars Program. He’s now pursuing a master’s in economics and social policies with the aim to return to DRC. His goal is to address social inequality through education.
Eliya Cigieiza, 29, also fled DRC two years earlier in 2016. In his home country he studied geology, as well as being a student leader, but left behind his studies, family, and country, to seek refuge in Uganda. In Kampala, a church hosted him, and his enthusiasm inspired the senior pastor to start a youth engagement programme, leading to the creation of “Women and Children at Risk,” an organisation helping vulnerable individuals.
Eliya applied for the competitive Belgium EUPW Scholars Programme and was selected. He is now pursuing a master’s in economics, determined to drive economic growth and empower African youth. “When we believe in the beauty of our dreams, we unleash the power to make them a reality,” he told FCA Uganda shortly before his departure to Belgium.
Morisho Kovokovo, 30, is a passionate anthropology enthusiast driven to make a positive impact. However, his home country’s insecurity and instability forced him to flee in 2023. Despite completing his degree in anthropology and securing a decent job, Morisho’s safety was at risk.
He made the difficult decision to leave behind his family, friends, and career to find refuge in Uganda. In Uganda, Morisho took a simple job at a research centre to survive. When he heard about the Belgium EUPW Scholars Program, Morisho applied and was selected. He’s now eager to pursue his master’s in Belgium, furthering his growth and dedication to making a difference in others’ lives. Morisho says, “My purpose is to serve others.”
Francois Kalenga, 23, is set to pursue Economics at the Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) University. His ambitions are set high: he aims to become a pioneering entrepreneur and minister of economics, driving innovative solutions for his community. “Courage is the catalyst for success,” Francois asserts. “Securing this opportunity is the key to unlocking my dreams, and I’m ready to seize it with both hands.”
EU scholarship is pilot in three countries
The EUPW (EU-Passworld) scholarship is a pilot project funded by the EU’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and taking place in Belgium, Ireland and Italy. The aspiration is that the pathways implemented under EUPW will grow into self-sustaining national programmes after 2024, and to contribute to establishing similar initiatives in other countries.
Finn Church Aid played a key role in identifying and referring qualified candidates based on the program’s criteria. UNHCR provided strategic support through advocacy, verification, and vetting processes. FCA together with UNHCR Belgium and UNHCR Uganda facilitated the pre-departure formalities.
The Government of Belgium, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain), and Caritas Belgium generously funded the program, covering tuition, living expenses, accommodation, travel, language assistance, and orientation services. These key stakeholders collectively enabled the scholars to enroll in top Belgian universities for their master’s degrees.
Text: Kadlah Nabakembo
Photos: Sozzi Daniel /UNHCR