Four New Scholars Join the JPSS Graduate Scholarship Program
This July, the John Paul Secondary School Board of Governors’ Academic Committee met to select the newest class of recipients for the JPSS Graduate Scholarship Program (GSP), the program that helps our most promising, financially needy graduates continue on to university.
Eleven students applied this year. Each application was reviewed against a strict set of funder guidelines: applicants had to have completed S5/S6 at JPSS, live within 100km of the school, score at least 11 points at UACE, demonstrate genuine financial need, and be admitted to an eligible university and course. Applicants and their parent or guardian also had to agree to a three-way contract with JPSS, laying out both the support they’d receive and what’s expected of them in return.
After careful review, the committee selected four scholars for the 2026 academic year. Scholarship recipients have their university tuition and functional fees covered for the duration of their course, along with ongoing mentorship and regular field visits from the program to check on their progress. In exchange, scholars commit to good academic standing and to giving back to the JPSS community after graduation, most often by returning to teach.
Meet the 4 new scholars:
Bahaya Martin, 21, of Budaka District, is heading to Kyambogo University to study Bachelor of Science with Education (Physical Sciences). Martin comes from a family of six boys and grew up helping his parents grow maize. His father’s long-term illness leaves the family without another guardian able to support his studies. Martin hopes to return to JPSS one day as a teacher, “to improve people’s grades so that they can study their dream courses.”
Outa Bruno, 22, of Pallisa District, is off to the Metropolitan University of Uganda for Bachelor of Science with Education (Physics & Mathematics). Bruno’s father lives with long-term stroke paralysis, and the family has few resources to fund his education. Known to friends as “Foodmesh,” Bruno loves gardening and hopes to come back and teach at JPSS after graduating.
Mwesigwa Benon, 19, of Namisindwa District, will study Bachelor of Science with Education (Vocational Agriculture) at Kyambogo University. Benon served as academic prefect at JPSS and comes from a large extended family facing financial strain. He hopes to teach at JPSS and help underprivileged students improve academically so they, too, can support their families.
Butalya Kefa, 24, of Manafwa District, will pursue a Bachelor of Arts with Education (CRE/ICT) at Uganda Christian University. Both of Kefa’s parents are peasant farmers. He hopes to return to JPSS to share what he learns and to help with fundraising for future scholars — in his words, so “we can make John Paul the light of the world.”
Congratulations to Martin, Bruno, Benon, and Kefa — and thank you to everyone whose generosity makes this program possible!
Learn more about our Graduate Scholarship Program
