Alice Namongin Makes History as First Ik Girl to Earn University Degree

Alice Namongin, a 24-year-old from the Ik community on the slopes of Mount Morungole in Kaabong District, graduated on February 26 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Statistics from Makerere University. She is the first known girl from her community to achieve this milestone.

The Ik people have long faced poverty, insecurity, and scarce educational opportunities, especially for girls. Born into a family of 15 children, Namongin grew up with few schools nearby. Her father, who reached Primary Seven, emphasized education through family discussions despite the challenges.

Displacement marked her early years; her family fled to Turkana, Kenya, in the 1980s due to Karamoja insecurity before returning. A scholarship from the Kotido Peace Initiative enabled her to attend Komukuny Girls Primary School, though long distances, attacks, and discrimination posed risks.

She improvised sanitary solutions with cloth scraps and excelled, scoring 13 aggregates in her Primary Leaving Exam to join Kangole Girls Secondary School. Holidays involved stall work to afford essentials, leading to strong O-Level and A-Level results.

Initially ineligible for district quotas, she farmed and traded maize before securing a Mastercard Foundation scholarship after interviews. At Makerere, she gained leadership training and started mentoring girls back home.

Challenges persist, like high teenage pregnancy rates and few girls in upper primary. Namongin plans a foundation for girls’ rights, menstrual products, and her own Master’s and PhD to serve her community.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)