education 28 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Yumbe's Refugee and Vulnerable Girls Face Education Crisis as Aid Program Nears End
Refugee and vulnerable girls in Yumbe District are facing an uncertain educational future as the Gender for Development Uganda Cash Plus program, which supports their school fees and learning materials, prepares to phase out in two years. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/yumbe-refugee-students-vulnerable-girls-cry-out-for-school-fees-bailout-5612928
The educational dreams of many refugee and vulnerable girls in Yumbe District are hanging in the balance as the Gender for Development Uganda Cash Plus program is set to conclude its support in the coming two years. This vital program has been instrumental in covering school fees, scholastic materials, and other essential expenses for these students, offering them a chance at education they might otherwise miss.
Learners like Hellen Angoko, an orphan who relies on the program to continue her studies at Yumbe Secondary School, expressed deep anxiety about the future. “With two years left, we see no future beyond the cash plus programme,” she stated, highlighting the immense financial struggles many families face. Similarly, Mary, a Senior Two student and refugee from South Sudan, fears her aspirations will remain “bleak” once the support ends.
The Yumbe District Education Officer, Mr. Rasul Luriga, voiced significant concern over the program’s exit, calling it a “big blow” to the students. He emphasized that most refugee families depend entirely on humanitarian aid and lack stable incomes, raising serious questions about how these children will afford to study without continued intervention.
The Gender for Development Uganda Cash Plus program, managed by the Trailblazer Monitoring Foundation, supports approximately 5,068 girls across 63 schools in six West Nile districts. The program specifically targets girls who completed Primary Seven and passed their exams, with support extending up to 2028.
School administrators anticipate a drop in enrollment following the announcement. Parents are urging the government and development partners to consider alternative interventions, such as vocational training, to equip these young girls with skills for self-sufficiency, preventing them from being forced into early marriages due to economic hardship.