New fellows from Uganda receive good wishes and advice from alumni at embassy event
By Janet Shimanya, Embassy of Ireland Uganda
2013-14 awardee Beatrice Mugambe introduces herself at the annual dinner in Uganda
Every year, in August, we hold a dinner for new fellowship awardees from Uganda - a total of 16 this year. The purpose is, firstly, to congratulate them for having successfully completed the fellowship competition and to wish them well. Secondly, it gives them a chance to meet Embassy of Ireland staff and fellow awardees. Thirdly, we share with them about the fellowship programme and what Irish Aid expectations are in relation to the award they have received.
We also invite alumni of the fellowship to share their experiences with the new awardees. This year’s guests were Gertrude Rose Gamwera, a regional fellow of 2010 and Samuel Waliggo, a 2011 fellow. The dinner was hosted by the Head of Development, Mr Keith Gristock and Pronch Murray (Development Specialist), Diana Sekaggya (Education Advisor), Daniel Iga (Senior Advisor) and myself (Fellowship Administrator) were in attendance.
Gertrude shared with us the advantage she has had as a regional fellow because she was able to continue with her job having just been promoted to the position of Secretary General in her organisation. Thus, she was able to be around most of the time whilst also undertaking part-time studies in Arusha, Tanzania. She said that the course has prepared her very well for the job she is now undertaking and was grateful to Irish Aid for the fellowship.
Samuel shared the experience he had in Ireland. He advised beneficiaries that there will be adjustments to the new environment, not just in food and drink, but in things like weather as well - a change that he explained had affected him at a personal level. He also informed applicants travelling to Ireland that the professors are very helpful and the method of learning is very good and that they should never hesitate to ask questions.
On behalf of the group, one of the new students, Marshall Alenyo, thanked Irish Aid for giving them this opportunity to study. He promised that they will not disappoint but will work hard and come back to implement what they have studied.