education 17 August 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
Kitgum Leaders Reject State House Scholarships Amid Allegations of Irregular Selection
Kitgum district officials have refused to acknowledge a list of 11 students selected for State House scholarships, citing a flawed process and demanding a new, transparent selection. The district chairperson alleged that the selection was not inclusive and may have favored unqualified candidates, including the daughter of a Member of Parliament. Source: https://observer.ug/news/kitgum-district-rejects-state-house-scholarships-as-mp-smuggles-daughter-on-list
The Kitgum district leadership has officially rejected a list of 11 students proposed for the State House scholarship program. District Chairperson Tony Blaire Toolit stated that the selection process, allegedly overseen by Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Jimmy Segawa Ebil, lacked transparency and did not involve essential local government bodies.
Toolit expressed dismay that the district education department and other relevant offices were bypassed, with the list only coming to light through social media. Concerns were also raised about the fairness of the distribution, with six out of eleven scholarships reportedly allocated to Kitgum Municipality, while several sub-counties had no representation. Furthermore, accusations surfaced that some selected individuals already possessed degrees or came from affluent families, contrary to the program’s purported aim of assisting disadvantaged, high-achieving students.
“What raised our concern is, why do you want a degree on top of a degree, let alone a child who has also performed well and cannot pay for a first degree?” Toolit questioned.
The district executive committee has resolved to disregard the controversial list and has initiated a fresh application and verification process. New applicants will be required to demonstrate strong academic merit, financial need, and an intention to pursue science-related courses.
RDC Segawa, however, defended his office’s actions, stating they followed directives to identify students from Kitgum who were pursuing science subjects and possessed admission letters. He acknowledged that an initial list of 14 was compiled, and one student was later removed upon discovery of her familial connection to a Member of Parliament. Segawa maintained that his office fulfilled its assigned task and encouraged dialogue with concerned local leaders.
This dispute mirrors similar selection concerns in neighboring Pader and Agago districts, highlighting calls for greater accountability in the distribution of these presidential scholarships.